John Wesley Bowlin, M.D., died peacefully at home on Saturday, May 12, 2018. He was born July 20, 1933, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Lena Mae Gooch and Fielden Abston Bowlin. He grew up in Hickory Flat, Mississippi. He was a graduate of Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon, Tennessee, in 1951. After completing pre-med studies and two years of medical school at University of Mississippi, Oxford Campus, he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1957. He completed surgical training in General and Cardio-Thoracic surgery at University of Mississippi and University of Kentucky. He was Board Certified in General Surgery and Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, and was also a Fellow of American College of Surgeons. He was a member of Southern Thoracic Surgery Association and American Association of Endocrine Surgeons. He served as president of North East Mississippi Medical Society from 1973to1974.
Captain John Bowlin served from 1963 to1965 as chief of Thoracic Surgery at the 97th U.S. Army Hospital at Frankfurt on Main, Germany.
Dr. Bowlin practiced surgery from 1966 to1967 in Springfield, Missouri, and in Tupelo, Mississippi, from 1967 until his retirement in 1998.
Dr. Bowlin was an active member of First Baptist Church, serving as a Deacon and Bible study teacher. Dr. Bowlin, frequently accompanied by his wife, served as a short term missionary to Ecuador, Panama, Venezuela, and most notably, twice as a surgeon for extended periods in Banglalore, India.
He enjoyed watercolor and oil painting, motorcycle riding, snow-skiing, travel, and most especially being with his family.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Linda Wiley Bowlin; a daughter, Elizabeth Bowlin Nagel of Pensacola, Florida; a son, Joseph Wiley Bowlin of Kissimmee, Florida; his grandson, Carl Davidson Nagel of Fort Worth, Texas; a sister, Nancy Bowlin Morgan, of Madison, Mississippi; and a sister-in-law, Gladys Robbins Bowlin of Hickory Flat, Mississippi.
Preceding him in death were his parents; a son, John Wesley Bowlin III; and a brother, Fielden A. Bowlin Jr.
Visitation was held from 4 until 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 13, 2018, and one hour prior to services, which will be held on Monday, May 14, 2018 at 11 a.m., with burial at Lee Memorial Park. Officiating will be Dr. Gayle Alexander and Rev. Matt Powell. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.
Pallbearers will be Bill Bowlin, Will Bowlin, Sam Bowlin, Jeff Young, and James Loftin.
Honorary Pallbearers are: Stanley Williams, Ken Wicker, his Sunday school class, the McDonald’s Prayer Group, Retired Doctors Group which include: Dr. Marion Winkler, Dr. Tom McDonald, Dr. Benton Hilbun, Dr. Forrest Tutor, and Dr. Bill Hilbun.
Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.
