Edward “Ed” Eton Bowns IV

Edward “Ed” Eton Bowns IV, 81, of Hoschton, GA, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2024 after a hard fought battle with cancer. He was born April 25, 1943, in Fort Pierce, Florida, to the late Edward and Alice Bowns.

Ed is survived by his wife of 30 years, Connie Bowns, and his first wife, Frances Bowns Muse; his children, Dr. Edward Allen Bowns (Victoria) and Elicia Conn (Adam); his stepdaughter, Laura Wehunt (Will), daughter-in-law, Eva Bowns; his grandchildren, Ansleigh (Derek), Caroline (Donald), Robbie, Savannah, Brianna, Maryanne, Joseph, Reese, Natalie, Kate, and Maggie; great-grandchildren, Ryleigh Beth, Teegan, and Tatum; his siblings, Charles Markam (Betty Ray), Mary Jane Rucks (Jon), and Martha Ann Pitts. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Beth Bowns and son, Robert Oliver Bowns.

Ed graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Advertising, in 1966. He began his career at Union Camp as a box salesman in Winter Haven, Florida, from 1966 to 1975. In 1975, he relocated to Spartanburg, SC, as a sales manager for Union Camp. By 1978, he had moved to Cincinnati and served as the general manager of the company’s box plant until 1980. In 1980, he joined RockTenn in Norcross, GA, as the general manager of their box plant. For the next 21 years he climbed the corporate ladder, was responsible for several acquisitions and served on a number of community boards, including Trust Company Bank in Gwinnett County.  He was granted a patent in 1999 for plastic laminated structural board. He retired in 2001 as Vice President and General Manager at RockTenn.

During his retirement, he cherished spending time with his family and friends, especially enjoying his renowned "cocktail cruises" on Lake Hartwell entertaining guests at “Ed’s Place”. He was an avid University of Florida Gators fan and loved cheering on their football team every fall Saturday.

A funeral service will be held on July 19, 2024, at 1 p.m., at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Dr, Gainesville, GA. The family will receive friends and relatives on July 18, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Memorial Park Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Atlanta Gator Club, PO Box 888212, Dunwoody, GA 30356, or online at ATLGators.com

Memorial Park Funeral Homes and Cemeteries, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA 30504.

For online condolences, www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com