Obituary of Neal Bowen

Neal Jordan "Big Red" Bowen, Jr., 69, of Port St. Lucie, died January 5, 2009 at St. Lucie Medical Center, Port St. Lucie.

Born in New York, NY and he had lived in Port St. Lucie and Palm City for 35 years coming from Mineola, New York.

He received his bachelor degree from Adelphi University, Long Island, New York, where he played on the basketball team. He went on to play semi-pro basketball in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corp.

He had been an independent Insurance agent and was a substitute teacher in the Martin County Schools.

He was a founding member of the Episcopal Church of the Advent, Palm City. He had been a member of the Palm City Chamber of Commerce, Stuart Kiwanis Club and the Martin County Democratic Party. He also was a 25 gallon donor with the Central Florida Blood Bank.

Survivors include his wife of 28 years, Judy J. Bowen; a daughter, Shaylee Bowen of Deland, Florida; and 2 grandchildren, Jordan and Christian.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Carole Bowen and his parents, Neal J. Bowen and Malvina Bowen.

SERVICES: Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, on January 8, 2009 at Forest Hills Funeral Homes - Palm City Chapel. There will be a funeral service at 10:00 AM on January 9, 2008 with military honors provided by the U.S. Marine Corp, also at the funeral home.

For those who wish, contributions may be made to the Episcopal Church of the Advent, 4885 SW Honey Terrace, Palm City, FL 34990, in Mr. Bowen's memory.

An online registry is available to sign and leave notes of condolence at www.foresthillspalmcityflorida.com .