James H. Bowen, age 71, of Aberdeen passed away on July 22, 2018, in Lassen National Park, Calif., He was born in 1947 in Aberdeen to George H. and Neva G. (Stover) Bowen.

James joined the Navy Reserve in 1964 and was a Navy Corpsman attached to the Marine Corps in Vietnam, later retiring out of the Washington State National Guard.

He graduated from Aberdeen High School in 1965 and Grays Harbor Community College in 1976.

He married Judith E. (Keffer) Bowen in Aberdeen in 1970. James had many jobs throughout his lifetime, including working for The Daily World and U.S. Post Office in Montesano. He was a 50-year member of the Aberdeen Elks, Exalted Ruler (1988-1989), Elk of the Year (1989-1990), Officer of the Year (2010-2011) and secretary (2008-2018).

James enjoyed history, trivia and traveling — he had been to every National Park, west of the Mississippi.

James is survived by his wife Judith of Aberdeen; sons Richard (Judith) Turner, John (Gina) Turner and James R. (Anna) Bowen, 19 grandchildren and 16 great grand children. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Gary L. Bowen.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, at the Aberdeen Elks, 1712 S. Boone, Aberdeen.