David Bowden

Thank You by Ray Boltz One by one they came Far as the eyes could see Each life somehow touched By your generosity Little things that you had done Sacrifices made Unnoticed on the earth In heaven now proclaimed And I know that up in heaven You're not supposed to cry But I am almost sure There were tears in your eyes As Jesus took your hand And you stood before the Lord He said, my child look around you For great is your reward Thank you for giving to the Lord I am a life that was changed Thank you for giving to the Lord I am so glad you gave On April 21, 2024, God called one of His most dedicated servants, David Bowden, home to His side. David was born Sept. 14, 1943 to Selester Lee and Phereba Leona Bowden, both of whom joyfully welcomed him to Heaven along with his brother, Jerry Bowden. His family takes comfort in knowing that, upon entering, David was also able to see the COUNTLESS other lives that were recipients of his lifetime of unselfish acts and the happy rejoicing was extraordinary! Growing up in Phalba/Mabank areas then later on moving to Terrell, David had a front row seat to how small town residents can be the “hands and feet of the Lord” and he took that knowledge to heart. His parents owned a grocery in Phalba and, as a young man, he attended school, and played football. He also worked at the store, delivering groceries and working in the fields at, and around, home. His work ethic was, and would become, a huge part of David’s personality. Coming to know the Lord at a young age, he attended The Assembly of God church with his family. For all of his life, his dedication to being a true follower of the Lord governed every opportunity and outreach that David became a part of. As he entered the workforce, he returned to the Terrell area where he made his home in Ables Springs and began working for local businesses. David worked with Neil Robertson at Whites Auto, Stokley-Van Camp, and then worked as a yardman at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad in Dallas at night and worked as a volunteer Fireman and EMT in Edgewood, TX during the day until he retired from BNSF after 26 years of faithful service. After retiring he worked again with Neil building gates at PDQ fence then later had an idea to help people with a towing service where he and Wade would run all hours of the night from time to time. But that was David-he never shied away from a chance to help others and share his love of Jesus through actions and words. While he worked at a “day job”, David was always (behind the scenes) busy helping others with any resource he had access to. His words were few because, honestly, David was busy working and making things happen. His involvement in church and seeing how outreach truly helped others who were in need was the final forge that shaped David into being the generous, tireless and selfless man he would be known for. His vision for serving was always in line with his pastors, each of whom gladly joined him in providing for others’ needs. Early in his outreach endeavors, David and Neil Robertson found themselves in possession of a truckload full of hygiene items and they promptly took the items to several locations to give away to others in need. David discovered that fulfilling physical needs helped the many recipients also see that a spiritual need could be just as important. David’s vision of provision’s evolved into his multi-county legacy, Adopt-a-Block, a food pantry that not only provided hundreds of thousands of people meals and food security but also allowed David and his team to move and transport millions of pounds of food all over the DFW and East Texas areas and to many other pantries. His ability to connect suppliers and patrons to organizations and groups who had a true need was legendary and there is no telling the true number of lives that David, in following the example that Jesus gives to us, saved and changed for the better. His joining with Pastor Lonnie Harris at Terrell First Assembly enabled him to once again connect donations to many in need by providing toiletries, clothing, and furniture as a way to lend a helping hand or, in some cases, a complete start over. Against his will, he was recognized by the City of Terrell with a proclamation for Adopt-a-Block and David Bowden Day. His civic involvement also extended to being a member of the Lion’s Club and he was an honorary volunteer fireman with Terrell VFD. David was never one to look for accolades-he wanted no notoriety or recognition because he always wanted the credit to go to others and, most importantly, the Lord. David knew that what he was doing was exactly what Jesus would do and he only wanted to hear, “well done, my good and faithful servant” when he finally met his Savior face to face. Even with his tireless service to the community, David was, first and foremost, devoted to his family. His love and dedication to his loved ones was as easily seen as his bright smile when he stopped (albeit BRIEFLY! Grass never grew under David’s busy feet!) to visit while making on his way to one of the many deliveries, meet ups, drop offs and exchanges for the Adopt-a-Block pantry. His family was a true testament to his unconditional love as a husband, father and grandfather. A one of a kind man who made sure that his actions were reflections of the voice of the Lord, David will be forever missed and never forgotten. His family feels certain that when David opened his eyes in Heaven, he did indeed hear” WELL DONE”. Those left to carry on in memory of David are his wife, Mittie Bowden; son, Wade Bowden and girlfriend, Amanda Rolwing; step-children: Sundra Powers and husband, James "Jimmy"; Dwayne Jacks and Kristal King, Pam Cunningham and husband, Elbert; grandchildren: Ashley, Cassidy, Gracie, Cayden, Michelle, Kristy, Kayla, Karlie, Joshua, Shelby and 8 great grandchildren along with other extended family, 60 years of Assembly of God and other church families, countless friends and, of course, the infinite number of people who, while they may never know David’s name, each were able to be helped by his profound legacy of selfless giving and self-sacrifice. Funeral service will be held at 2:00pm, Monday, April 29, 2024, at Terrell First Assembly of God Church. His family will receive friends beginning 2:00pm to 4:00pm, Sunday, April 28, at Max Slayton Funeral Chapel. David’s family is asking that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to; Faith at Work Ministries at www.faithatworkministries.org in Kemp, Texas, a mission minded group close to David’s heart. Thank you, David… Thank you for giving to the Lord WE are so glad you gave!

Tributes

David Bowden

April 21, 2024