Obituary of Vivian Bowden

Bedford--Vivian (Viv) Bowden of 1112 Lincoln Avenue in Bedford, died at 9:36 a.m. on Monday, March 17, 2003, at his residence after a short illness. Born on February 24, 1925, he was the son of Raymond and Lola (Burton) Bowden. He married Laura Catherine Adamson on February 14, 1948 and she survives. He was the utilities manager for the city of Bedford and a member of the First Baptist Church in Bedford. He was currently serving on the Executive Committee for the American Legion Gillen Post #33, a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Navy, a lifetime member of the Bedford Elks #826 and received the Ivan Brinegar Award in September of 2002. He was the first recipient of the book of Golden Deeds Award which was presented by the Bedford Exchange Club. The award was presented in the ballroom of the Greystone Hotel. Vivs association started with the Boys Club in 1957 and continued for 47 years. He was the recipient of the Boys Club of America Bronze Keystone, which is the highest award that can be presented to a volunteer, which was presented in 1969. He was very active in coaching and refereeing at the Boys Club until the late 1980s, during this time he made three trips to Puerto Rico as coach for the Boys Club All Star Team. Viv was one of the first originators of biddy basketball and in 1966 he made ten trips to Peoria , IL for biddy basketball. He was responsible for several district and state tournaments at the Thornton Memorial Boys Club and traveled throughout the state of Indiana participating in tournaments. His assistant coaches include Bob Canada, who is deceased and Larry Ikerd. His teams participated in National Biddy tourneys in Wichita, Kansas; Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Chester, Pennsylvania. Viv actually started as a Boys Club volunteer when the club was located on Lincoln Avenue. He and Jim Baer ran the game rooms for Robert Baugh which started in 1948. It might be noted that when his coaching and refereeing days were over he was still a familiar sight at the Boys Club. Surviving is his wife of Bedford; one son: John R. Bowden and his wife, Jane of Ellettsville; one daughter: Jennifer K. Hert and her husband, Phil of Bedford; six grandchildren: Courtney Bowden of Lexington, KY; Sarah Hall and her husband Brian of Beaufort, S.C.; Allison and Stephen Hert both of Bedford; Mica Bowden of Ellettsville; one great grandson: Garrett Hall of Beaufort, S.C.; two sisters: Ruby King of Bedford and Helen Atchison of Indianapolis; two aunts: Irene Vest of Florida and Gladys Parsons of Mitchell; several cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister: Genieveve Carlson and one brother: Raymond Bowden, Jr. Pallbearers will be Gene King, Joe, Brad and Ed Tarr, Lester Tipton and George Frazier. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Baker, Larry Ikerd, Ed Charles, Dean McIntyre, Steve Brinegar and Charlie Bowden. Funeral Information Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 20th, from the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary with Rev. Jon Lineback and Mayor John Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Beech Grove Cemetery with military rites accorded by the American Legion Gillen Post #33. Friends may call from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19th, and from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Thursday at the Day & Carter Mortuary. Donations Information The family asks that friends consider memorial contributions to Thornton Memorial Boys Club.