SIDNEY – On Thursday, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. David Thomas Bowie was scheduled to leave for his second year-long tour of military duty in Afghanistan. Instead, his family now grieves as Bowie will be placed in his final resting place here Saturday afternoon.
On Feb. 5, the 27-year-old Bowie was killed in a single-vehicle accident in Albuquerque, New Mexico. According to published reports, Bowie was the driver of the vehicle, and pronounced dead at the scene. Two others were killed in the accident and two more were injured.
On Friday evening, his family was to receive his body at the Dayton International Airport in Vandalia. Following a 45-minute military ceremony on the tarmac, a motorcycle and vehicle escort will be provided for the trip to Sidney.
The escort will be administered by the Ohio Patriot Guard, an organization of motorcycle enthusiasts who honor fallen military members by invitation of the family.
Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Adams Funeral Home in Sidney. Burial with full military honors will follow at Graceland Cemetery.
Bowie, a 2007 graduate of Fort Loramie High School, joined the military on March 5, 2009, according to his mother, Bridget Douglas, of Sidney. He was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, near El Paso, at the time of the tragedy.
Bowie was born in Fresno, Calif., and lived in Tennessee in addition to Sidney. His mother, and her current husband, Tommy Douglas, decided to move to Sidney in 1995 after visiting family here over the Memorial Day weekend.
Wednesday night, activity at the Douglas home at 828 Chestnut Ave., was abuzz.
Sisters, a brother, an aunt and his cousins gathered to talk about Bowie and his life. Using several forms of social media, they shared photos, videos and online condolences to portray a kind, loving and funny man.
“He loved everybody he met. He just loved being around the house with family,” Bridget said of her son. “He could be serious, but he could really be funny when he wanted to be.”
His aunt, Germaine Jennings, of Dickson, Tennessee, said, “I remember him putting together a tricycle for my (handicapped) daughter (Cheyenne). He also installed a porch swing while living near us in Tennessee.”
His sister, Megan Bowie, of Tennessee, recalled the time David volunteered at a crisis center near her home that assists single mothers. He constructed baby beds making sure they were safe and sound for the youngsters.
Bowie played basketball during his time at Fort Loramie, and graduated with a 3.8 grade point average. Getting an education and helping others was a top priority, according to his older brother.
Joseph Bowie Jr., of Sidney, said of his sibling, “He always mentored people. He was always helping others and encouraged them to get an education. I’ve seen several people say he saved their lives.”
David’s sister-in-law, Shelly Bowie, told of this past Fourth of July when David went to five different stores to gather 500 balloons. “He sat in the garage and filled all of them with water. He wanted the kids to have as much fun as they could.”
“My brother was just a big kid at heart,” said Joseph.
Joseph and Shelly are expecting a boy on (due date) Feb. 26. They have decided to honor David by giving the child his middle name.
Bowie Jr. said his brother spoke little of his time in Afghanistan, preferring to keep that portion of his life private. The family is aware he earned medals of valor for his time on the battlefield, but respected David’s wishes to not disclose details.
The family said Bowie intended to make the military a career. They stated he was on a fast track in becoming an officer and well-respected by his peers. Family members referred to thoughtful social media posts from his compatriots to indicate his positive impact in the armed forces.
The family also regretted that his dedication to the military impaired his ability to have significant quality time with his children. His daughter, Jersey Montgomery, age 7, and his son, Kyler Montgomery, 6, reside in Huber Heights with their mother. Megan Bowie shared the children were both born on June 1 just one year apart.
Germaine Jennings, Bridget’s sister, said her nephew missed his children deeply and that he was enthusiastic about serving his country. “I just want people to remember him with kindness and for all he was about.”
Sadly, Mrs. Douglas said, “My heart is heavy for the others (accident victims) and their families. I can’t think of David and not think about what they must be dealing with. My heart goes out to them.”
