David Ward Bowler, 72, died Nov. 29, 2016, after a two-year battle with cancer. David leaves behind his loving wife of 48 years, Babs; daughters Kaki (Tim) and Christi (Bill); Babs’ son Doug (JoJo); grandchildren, Kelsey, Jack and Phebe; siblings Lucy, John (Susan), Mary (Bob), and Peggy (George); and 26 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Margaret and brother-in-law Kurt.
David is a Jacksonville native. Raised in Riverside, he attended St. Paul’s Catholic School and Bishop Kenny High School. He then attended Villanova University for one year before he was drafted into the military to serve during Vietnam. He became a Marine reservist. He continued college at Palatka Junior College where he met the love of his life, Babs. Their courtship was long distance while David completed his undergraduate degree at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Later he would receive his MBA at the University of North Florida. David and Babs married in 1968 and settled in Jacksonville Beach.
David’s entrepreneurial and adventurous spirit led him down several career paths, from insurance claims to real estate development. He started a solar power company in the 1970s, ran a liquor store in the 1980s and owned and tinkered on a 10-unit apartment complex in Jacksonville Beach from the 1990s until this past year. He was handy and color blind. He was a jack of all trades.
First and foremost, David was a family man. His daughters think he hung the moon. And his favorite title was “Grandaddy.” He was a father figure to his nieces and nephews, tenants and countless others. He’d drop anything to fix your plumbing problem or watch his offspring’s sporting events. His favorite activity was to take his family sailing.
He will be missed beyond comprehension and is leaving big shoes to be filled by his son-in-laws.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 5, 2016, in Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church with Rev. Monsignor Keith Brennan and Rev. William Kelly as celebrants.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry (BEAM) www.jaxbeam.org/donate, 580 Sixth Avenue S., Jacksonville Beach, Fla. 32250. Please visit our online tribute at www.quinn-shalz.com. Services under the direction and care of Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home…(LOGO)
