George W. Bowen II

George William Bowen, II, 81, passed away on May 8, 2023, at his home in Old Town, Florida. He was born November 15, 1941, in New Port News, Virginia. He was the only child of Robert E. and Ruby Roop Bowen. Mr. Bowen graduated from Oak Ridge Military Institute, Oak Ridge, North Carolina in 1960. After high school he attended Virginia Polytechnical Institute from 1960-1961, and then transferred to Arkansas Agricultural and Mechanical College, in Monticello, Arkansas. In 1966, he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry. While attending college Mr. Bowen joined the United States Army Reserves and served four years. Mr. Bowen started his career in the Timber Industry in 1966 with Dierks Forest, Inc. as the Assistant District Forester, Beavers Bend District, Oklahoma. In 1968, he was the District Forester, Alikchi Forest District, Oklahoma, and in 1969, he was the District Forester, Eagletown, Oklahoma. In 1970, Weyerhauser purchased Dierks Forest, Inc. While working for Dierks Forest, Inc., and Weyerhouser he was responsible for many aspects of timber management, contract loggers, and a total of approximately 300,000 acres. In 1971, he joined Southern Pine Inspection Bureau (SPIB), in Winnfield, Louisiana, as a lumber grader. In 1972, Mr. Bowen took a position with SPIB in Statesboro, Georgia, where he was Quality Control Inspector, responsible for pine lumber quality control for 12 member mills from Brunswick Georgia, to Beaufort, South Carolina and west to Vidalia, Georgia. While working with SPIB, in 1973, he was approached to come to work for Georgia Pacific as the Planer Mill Foreman in Claxton, Georgia. In 1974 Mr. Bowen was transferred to Planer Mill Foreman and Dry End Superintendent, Georgia Pacific, Cross City, Florida. In 1976 he was promoted to Quality Control Supervisor for the Southern Division of Georgia Pacific, Augusta, Georgia, where he was responsible for 11 southern pine mills. In 1978, he was promoted to Plant Manager of the Cross City Georgia Pacific Chip-N-Saw mill. When he took over the Cross City Chip-n-Saw Mill it was the least profitable mill in the Southern Division. In his years there he brought the mill to the second from the top of profitable mills, he considered this a major accomplishment. Mr. Bowen retired from Georgia Pacific in 1996. Mr. Bowen enjoyed boating and fishing off the Gulf Coast. He was a certified Scuba Diver, and a Licensed Boat Captain. He enjoyed off shore fishing, and spending time in the Keys during Lobster Season. He enjoyed being outdoors, bicycling on the Nature Coast Trail, and playing golf. After retirement, he enjoyed traveling with his wife Phyllis. He has always loved animals, from his childhood Boxer, Coco, to his current two Australian Shepherds, Buddy and Bear and his Amazon Parrot Louie. Mr. Bowen was preceded in death by his first wife Carolyn Sue Bailey Bowen of 30 years, his stepsons Durward Jones and Curtis Jones of Chiefland, FL. He is survived by his wife Phyllis Jones Bowen of 27 years, his daughter Julie (Jeff) Corbin of Old Town, FL, daughter Janet (Chuck) Fowler of Cross City, FL, step-son Carl (Macenia) Jones of Chiefland, FL, grandson Grant (Brittany) Fowler of Cross City, FL, granddaughter Taylor Corbin of High Springs, FL, granddaughter Charla (Devin) Taylor of Bell, FL, grandson, Tyler (Katelyn) Corbin of Trenton, FL, step-grandson William (Megan )Jones of Key Largo, FL, step-granddaughter Tamara (Chad) Ballenger, of Chiefland, FL, and step-grandaughter Gabrielle (Cameron)Simmons of Chiefland, FL. He has 17 great grandchildren. Graveside services for Mr. Bowen will be held 3:00 PM Thursday May 11, 2023 at the New Prospect Cemetery in Old Town, Florida. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Rick Gooding Funeral Home in Cross City, Florida. Arrangements have been placed under the care of the Rick Gooding Funeral Home Cross City Chapel, with locations in Cross City 352-498-5400 and Chiefland 352-493-0050. Please sign the online guest book at rickgoodingfuneralhomes.com

George W. Bowen II

November 15, 1941 - May 8, 2023