Franklin “Frank” Delano Bowles, of Aiken, passed away after a brief illness on Wednesday, 15 February 2023 at the age of 86.
Frank is survived by his wife Brenda Kay Bowles of Aiken, SC; his daughter Natalee Dawn (Craig) Hodge of Clover, SC, his son Christopher Noel Bowles of Midlothian, VA and four Grandchildren: Aedan McNair Clarke of Manassas, VA; Nolan Ford Clarke of Jacksonville, FL; David Lee Bowles of Midlothian, VA and Cecelia Anaiah Bowles of Grandy, NC. He was preceded in death by the late Alva and Osie Ford Bowles. Other than his parents, he is preceded in death by his siblings, Gordon, Arnold, Charles, Annabelle, Patricia, and Barbara. Interment will be on Wednesday, 22nd of February at the Chestnut Knob Cemetery in Layland, WV.
Frank was born in Quinwood, WV and was raised and grew up in Layland, WV where he attended Layland Elementary and Layland Jr. High School before graduating from Meadow Bridge High School. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served four years, of which two were aboard the USS J. Douglas Blackwood, before being separated from the Navy as a Fire Control Technician Petty Officer Second Class. He subsequently served five years in the U.S. Navy Reserve before being Honorably Discharged.
Frank entered the civilian workforce in 1958. There he worked continuously until July 2021, for a total of 63 years. During those years, Frank took advantage of the available local higher education schools to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the needs of the local employers. He attended Mitchell College, the University of Connecticut, Thames Valley Community College, George Mason University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree, Northern Virginia Community College, Trident Technical College and The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina where he received his Master of Science degree in Program Management: the first such degree awarded by The Citadel.
Upon separation from the Navy, Frank was first employed as an Electronics Technician by International Electronics Engineering Inc. before being employed by Welex Electronics Corporation a subsidiary of Haliburton. He was assigned in 1961 to support the U.S. Navy Underwater Sound Laboratory (USN/USL) in New London, CT. In 1965 he joined USN/USL as a Government employee. He supported USN/USL until 1977 when he was transferred to the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, DC where he was employed until his retirement as a Government employee in 1988.
In June 1988 Frank began a second successful career as a private consultant to several major corporations supporting various components of the Government until his retirement in 2021. During this 33-year period, the work he was most proud of was his support to the submarine force. He supported submarines from Guam to Hawaii to California, Connecticut, Virginia, South Carolina, Florida, England, Scotland and Norway,
Having a life-long love for learning and knowledge, Frank’s work life was long and accomplished but his greatest love and joys in life were his family and friends. Frank will always be known to his nieces as the playful Uncle and to his grandchildren as their beloved Papa. He enjoyed the many vacations and Spring Breaks and Summers with his grandchildren. He loved running, playing tennis and golf, and keeping fit.
Frank’s funeral service will be held Monday, February 20, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Shellhouse Funeral Home on Hayne Ave. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service. Interment will be held on Wednesday at 1:00 PM in Layland Cemetery, 1749 Chestnut Knob Rd., Layland, WV 25864.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Frank Bowles memory to the Layland Cemetery Fund, PO Box 226, Layland WV 25864.
SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC 29801.