N C Bowles Jr Obituary (1934

N.C. Bowles, Jr. passed away at his home on Thursday, January 25, 2024 and was 89 years of age. He was retired from P&M Coal Company management after 34 years of service in the coal industry. Some would say N.C. never actually retired as he most enjoyed to talk about his work and share memories of and lessons to be learned about the industry he loved. It was often difficult to know whom he was speaking of in his stories as he referred to all of his co-workers by beloved nicknames. N.C., or Roadrunner as his co-workers called him, was always busy ensuring his job was well done and his family was well taken care of, and anyone needing his help was assured he would be there. N.C. loved his family and sharing stories with them was his favorite thing to do. He would talk for hours and nothing was better than seeing him share memories of something funny while he laughed until he cried. He loved local history, basketball, football, meteorology, and television shows about how things are made. He loved all things tool related and collected rare pocket knives and watches. He could fix anything. For years he worked beside his wife, Joyce, remodeling houses when he would return home from work. N.C. had an unwavering faith and in his wallet traveled a tattered copy of "The Cross in My Pocket" from all of his years carrying it with him. He was a member of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Madisonville and played a major role in the building of that church. He designed and welded the magnificent cross that still hangs in the Sanctuary. N.C. never tired when his hands were busy. For all that was N.C., many are forever grateful. N.C. was predeceased by his father, N.C. Bowles, Sr., his mother, Nell Bowles, five siblings, J.D. Bowles (Francis), Sue Rowland (Marshall), William Bowles (Jerry), Martha Crabtree (Homer), and Wesley Bowles (Faye), and a daughter, Tammy Bowles. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Bowles, a daughter, Ellen Bowles, his granddogs, Lucy and Diamond, a sister, Judy Adkins (Bob), and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Barnett-Strother Funeral Home in Madisonville on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with the funeral to follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Madisonville.