Onest "Buddy" P. Bowling

Onest P. "Buddy" Bowling, Jr., 79, of Asheville, died Thursday, May 30, 2013. A native of Durham Co., NC, he was a son of the late Onest P. Bowling and Lillian Cowan Bowling. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Emma Jean Riddle Bowling; sisters, Ruth Marshall and Billie Marie Hill, and step-mother, Fay Bowling. Mr. Bowling worked for Dorothea Dix Hospital in Raleigh for 6 years. He married Jean on October 5, 1956, and they moved to Asheville in 1960. He then worked at St. Joseph's Hospital for four years, Citizens-Express for 19 years, and Citizen Ford for 15 years (retiring in 1996). He then volunteered at St. Joseph's Hospital, with 3500 hours of service. He attended Grace Baptist Church. Mr. Bowling was a Veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in Germany from 1954 to 1956. Mr. Bowling is survived by a daughter, Laura Katherine Bowling, of Asheville; sons, Michael Patha Bowling and wife, Tammy, of Alexander, and Dr. Mark Rolin Bowling and wife, Donna, of Greenville, NC; grandchildren, Julian Patha Bowling, Emma Kay Bowling, Katherine Ann and Julia Marie Bowling; and a brother, Stanley Lewis Bowling and wife, Donna, of Glass Lake, MI. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.