James Dale Bowen

James Dale Bowen passed away peacefully at age 93 on Monday July 28, 2025 with his wife Pat by his side. He leaves behind his wife Patricia of Tucson, daughter Ruthe Ann Bowen of Milwaukee, WI daughter Jamie Hoppe (Greg) Hoppe of Oro Valley, son Jeff Bowen of Franklin, WI and daughter Tricia Chirillo (Jim) of Franklin, WI and three grandchildren Andrea Hoppe, Julia Chirillo and Evan Chirillo and sister Phyllis Shaw of Hamilton, Illinois.

Jim was a United States Air Force veteran, proudly serving his country in the Korean conflict as a tail gunner on a B-29 aircraft. Jim and Pat were married at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in 1953. He later attended Western Illinois University in Macomb where he received his teaching degree. He began his teaching career at North Boone High School in Poplar Grove, Illinois where he became a die hard Chicago Bears fan. A few years later, Jim and Pat moved the family to Wisconsin where he continued his love of teaching as a high school social studies teacher at New Berlin and Eisenhower high schools in New Berlin, Wisconsin.

Jim taught for 37 years in New Berlin where he was revered by his students and colleagues, retiring in 1989. In 1990, Jim and Pat moved from Wisconsin cold to Oro Valley, AZ warmth. Shortly after that, Jim started his second career, teaching current event courses for 18 years at Pima Community College. Through his teaching and other activities in Tucson, he made many personal connections and lifelong friends that he and Pat cherished over the years. He will be dearly remembered for his quick wit and warm conversation.

His love of the Chicago Bears was superseded only by his passion for airplanes and flying. He passed this love on to his grandson, Evan, who will carry on his legacy in the skies. Jim’s love for hiking took him on many trips to the Grand Canyon and on many of the mountain trails around the Tucson area. Not only was he an avid gardener and plant aficionado both in WI and AZ, he loved films and the theater which he and Pat enjoyed attending together. Jim and Pat actively volunteered for the non-profit group in Tucson, Youth on Their Own (YOTO) and for many years were caring couriers delivering supplies to students at many schools.

A celebration of life will be at the Oro Valley Community Center, 10555 N. La Canada Dr. Oro Valley on August 16, 2025 beginning at 2 pm. This is a casual event and we encourage attendees to wear hiking, Grand Canyon or sports team T-shirts. His family welcomes those who loved him to share a short story about Jim at his memorial service. By request, a live stream link will be provided to anyone who is unable to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for gifts in memoriam to The Grand Canyon Conservancy and Youth on Their Own