JAY ELIAS BOWEN

Wasilla resident Jay Elias Bowen, 89, died peacefully of natural causes on Monday, July 26, 2004. His family laid Mr. Bowen to rest in Warden City, Wash. Burial took place at 2 p.m., Friday,, at the Warden City Cemetery.

Mr. Bowen was born June 29, 1915, in Poplar, Idaho, and moved to Alaska in February 2000, where he made Wasilla his home for the remaining 3 1/2 years of his life. Mr. Bowen was a carpenter by trade, but also operated heavy equipment and broke horses, primarily in Washington state. He loved horses, gardening and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

His family said, "He worked diligently to make sure his family had what was needed. He set a marvelous example of living a Christ-like life. He loved horses and worked with them whenever he could."

He is survived by a daughter, Bonnie Nelson of Mountain Home, Idaho; two sons, Casey Bowen of Wasilla and Doyle Bowen of Richland, Wash.; grandchildren, Tammy, Jonathon, Gina, Debra, Melinda, Donovan, Cameron, Allen, Seth, Brandt, Douglas, Tyson, C.J., Janelle, Keely and Kiel and 12 great-grandchildren.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.