James Wallace “Jim” Bowie, of Chapin, passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2015 following a brief illness. He was born in Greenwood, SC, on August 8, 1953, son of Sara Watt Bowie and the late William Maurice Bowie. Jim grew up in Ware Shoals, SC. He was the grandson of the late Wallace and Mary Lou Bowie of Ware Shoals, SC, and the late Claude and Sallie Watt of Hartsville, SC. Jim was a 1975 graduate of The Citadel, Bravo Company. He devoted years of his life and career to the fire service on both state and national levels. Jim began his professional career as a firefighter for the City of Charleston, SC. He continued as a Senior Instructor at the SC Fire Academy, of which he later became the director. Jim was instrumental in the design and building of the present state training facility and programs. He was also the Executive Director of the SC State Firefighters’ Association from 2003-2007, at which time he served as a lobbyist. Jim previously protected the safety of his community as a Volunteer Chief for the Irmo Fire District. He impacted fire safety education for the state’s youngest citizens as he was instrumental in bringing “Dalmatian Station” to the EdVenture Children’s Museum. He also worked adjunct with the National Fire Protection Association. Most recently, Jim was employed as the Facilities Regulatory Coordinator in Engineering Services at Palmetto Health Baptist Hospital. Jim worked diligently, yet humbly, to improve and advance the firefighting profession; as well as, the safety of the citizens of SC. He will be remembered by his colleagues as a true visionary, leader and friend. Jim served as a Deacon of Chapin Presbyterian Church and was a member of the Saturday morning Fall Men’s Bible Study Group. Jim is survived by his wife of thirty years, Rosemary C. Bowie and daughter, Sara Chandler Bowie of Chapin, SC; his mother, Sara Watt Bowie of Ware Shoals, SC; a brother, Keith Bowie and wife Pam of Mount Desert, Maine, along with a nephew, nieces, cousins, and aunts. Jim will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, friend and Clemson Tiger fan. Funeral services will be held Sunday, April 26, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. in Chapin Presbyterian Church, 600 Old Lexington Hwy. Visitation immediately following the service in the church. Burial will be private in Lebanon Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Abbeville, SC. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Jim’s memory may be made to Chapin Presbyterian Church, 600 Old Lexington Hwy., Chapin, SC 29036; Ware Shoals First Baptist Church, 30 S. Greenwood Ave., Ware Shoals, SC 29692; Dabo’s All in Team® Foundation, Breast Cancer Research, PO Box 1585, Clemson, SC 29633; MUSC Children’s Hospital Burned Children’s Fund, 169 Ashley Ave., Charleston, SC 29403; SC State Firefighters’ Association, 111 Westpark Boulevard, Columbia, SC 29210; and the Rhoad’s Cup, Chapin, SC. A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com. Harris Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Abbeville, SC, is assisting the Bowie family.
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