Charles Richard Bowling

Charles “Richard” Bowling, 78, of York, SC, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Saturday, January 20, 2024.  He was surrounded by his family, who loved him deeply.

In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his brother Ronald Bowling, and many extended family members.

He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Tonyi Gail Bowling, of York, SC; his daughters: Renee Comer, Jessica Ferrara and Kimberly Hixson, all of Rock Hill SC; six adoring grandchildren: Drew Comer, Dominic, Skylar and Nicholas Ferrara, and Adalyn and Sadie Hixson; and many more loving family and friends.

The family will receive friends at 12:00 PM with a celebration of Richard's life to be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, February 3, 2024 in the chapel of Bass Cauthen Funeral Home, 700 Heckle Boulevard Rock Hill, SC 29730.

In lieu of flowers, lend a helping hand to someone in need and donate to Disabled American Veterans www.DAV.org or to a charity of your choice.

Born February 9, 1945, in Petersburg, Virginia, he was the son of the late Oris Letcher “Dutch” and Myrtle Leigh (Brogan) Bowling.

A self-described “Army Brat,” he, his parents and his brother Ronnie moved from base to base, finding adventure everywhere they could.  At the age of 17, Richard enlisted in the Marine Corps, and completed his basic training at Camp Lejeune.  His enlistment took him to California and then Cuba, where he was stationed during the Russian Missile Crisis and the Bay of Pigs invasion.

In 1974, he married the love of his life, Gail, and they had three beautiful daughters: Renee, Jessica and Kim.  They resided in Beckley, WV for 14 years, before moving to York, SC in 1988, where he resided until he passed.  While living in York, he made many friends and built a career as a driver with the grocery chain, Winn Dixie. He reflected that he enjoyed the freedom to drive all over the Southeast United States, meeting new people and visiting cities along the way.

Richard had a few favorite pastimes and hobbies, including sitting quietly on his front porch, bird watching, tending his flowers, coin collecting, and listening to blues concerts on his personalized stereo system.  Every Saturday, he could be found at the local flea market, searching for rare coins to add to his collection and then making his “rounds'' to visit his grandchildren.  Until they were too old to fit, he would bounce each one on his knee and sing, “Yankee Doodle went to town” as they giggled and bounced off with laughter.

Known for his wit and humor, Richard made both family and friends laugh often.  He was known to use idioms when speaking, saying things like, "there's more than one way to skin a cat," to explain his point.  He also had a very serious side, and exuded strength and immeasurable determination.  He overcame many obstacles in his life, including a discouraging prognosis 20 years prior- but he prevailed and continued to live life to the fullest until his passing.  He will be remembered by those who loved him as being a man of integrity, strength and sacrificial love.

In his later years, Richard came to faith in Jesus and would often tell his family that he was only here “by the grace of God himself.”  He made a profession of faith before his passing and held firm to his decision.  He experienced an extreme amount of peace in the last days knowing that he was “going home to be with Jesus.”  He will be greatly missed, but will live on through those that he left behind.

Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the guestbook provided.