Clyde Randford "Randy" Bowen

Clyde Randford "Randy" Bowen, 76, died Sunday at his home in Gainesville after battling poor health for more than ten years. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Alma Kennedy; a son and daughter-in-law, Reed and Christy Halloran Bowen, Flowery Branch; daughter, Amy Bowen Smith, Gainesville; and a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Kay Gilstrap Bowen, Buford; four grandchildren, Heather Bowen, Breanna Smith, and Erika and Emily Bowen. He is survived by four siblings, Kenneth Bowen and Charles Bowen, Claxton; Alfred Bowen, Register; and Marguerite Bowen Cavanaugh, Ocala, Fla.

He was preceded in death by his grandson Randford Ryan Smith, his daughter-in-law, Joanna Elliott Bowen, both of Gainesville; his parents Ethel Marguerite Jones Bowen and Alfred Jackson Bowen Jr.; and his brothers Martin Bowen and Harold Bowen, all of Claxton.

Mr. Bowen was born Dec. 23, 1934, and grew up on a large farm in Claxton. While still a small child, his curiosity indicated the path he would take in life. Once, he climbed into an empty refrigerator and shut the door. Later, he walked into his family's large freezer and shut the door. Both times he was found before disaster, and this interest in cooling apparatuses became his lifetime career.

After graduating from Claxton High School, Mr. Bowen enrolled in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning at North Georgia Technical College in Clarkesville. After graduation from NGTC, he volunteered for four years in the U.S. Air Force, serving his last year at Keflavik, Iceland.

He brought his family to Gainesville after he finished military service. He worked almost 40 years in Gainesville air conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and plumbing services and retired from Porter's, Inc. A member of the Baptist faith, he loved life and took great pleasure in making people laugh throughout his years.

Family visitation will be at 2 p.m. Jan. 23, at Little-Davenport Funeral Home. A memorial service will follow at 3 with the Rev. J.R. Savage and Kenneth Bowen speaking.

Donations in his memory can be made to the American Cancer Society, 2565 Thompson Bridge Rd, No. 114, Gainesville, Ga. 30501-1723.

Those wishing to make online condolences may do so at www.littledavenport.com
Little-Davenport Funeral Home, Dawsonville Highway, Gainesville.