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Chris passed away Tuesday, July 8th at his home in Murray, Utah. Born in Salt Lake City, on December 7, 1954 to Lawry J. Bowden and Mary Ellen Hill Bowden. Proceeded in death by wife, Carol Summerhays Bowden. Survived by fiancé Mary Jo Larson, sister NancyEllen Bowden Regier (husband Timothy Regier), brother James J. Bowden (wife Bobette Bowden), Nieces Whitney Anne Bowden (partner Vien Chantharath) and Emily Ellen Bowden Fenton (husband Ryan Fenton and son Beckham).
More is more describes Chris to a T. He was hands-down the most friendly and lovable person you’d ever meet. You would count yourself lucky for having the opportunity to cross paths with The Big Guy. This was the term of endearment he would give everyone he met whether it was a longtime friend or a complete stranger he met on a street or an elevator ride. His vivacious personality, contagious laugh and quick wit would make you instant friends.
Chris enjoyed life, every second of every day. A perfect evening for him would consist of a large table surrounded by friends, family and laughter. The table would be filled with all types of amazing foods, drinks and treats. It could range from caviar & champagne to a burger with potato salad. With Chris, every bite was savored and enjoyed as long as it was shared with loved ones.
Chris loved, loved, loved movies and musicals. The stereo or the television was constantly on when he was home and he was either quoting movie lines and dialog along with the movies he watched over and over again or he was singing show tunes in a very goofy way. He would always make you laugh till your sides ached. Chris also loved to dance and would do pretty much anything to make you smile. One fond remembrance was watching Dancing with the Stars with him. He would consider himself the head judge of the competition and made hilarious comments during each dance then yell at the judges for their incompetent final scores.
Our family was very proud of Chris when he earned his Eagle Scout badge while in Troop 83. Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America. It signifies a high level of achievement, leadership, and commitment to Scouting principles and the community. Fewer than 6% of Scouts achieve this rank, making it a significant accomplishment.
Chris grew up in a small farming community west of Rose Park. He was the eldest of three siblings, all 3 years apart. Living in a remote area, the three of us became best friends while growing up. Lucky for us we had young parents and a very close-knit family. We did everything together. We enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and motorcycles. Every member of the family had a motorcycle and we would camp and/or ride every chance we could. As a family, we joined the Continental Motocross Association (CMA). The local bike club would organize and hold motocross races. Besides working at the races we would also compete and race. Chris also competed in cross country events, racing over 100 miles of Pony Express trails a day in the Utah desert. Chris, NancyEllen and James (Jim) worked together in several local motorcycle shops to earn money for bikes, parts and college.
Chris graduated from the University of Utah in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. With his degree he worked in the fields of Mechanical/Structural Engineering and Control Systems.
Chris met his wife Carol through his sister NancyEllen. Carol came to one of the Bowden family water-skiing outings and it was love at first sight for Chris. The three of them soon started to go disco dancing on the weekends. That quickly turned into just the two of them, as they started dating. After that, you would rarely ever see one without the other. Anyone could see that they truly loved and adored each other. They shared a successful forty-one year marriage and partnership.
Carol was ill for the last 15 years of her life. Chris was an amazing caregiver during those 15 years and his attentive care surely added extra years of quality life for her.
A short time after Carol’s passing Chris found love again with Mary Jo Larson, a Cyprus High School classmate that he reconnected with on Facebook. Chris had a major crush on Mary Jo in High School but they never dated. They were in many of the Advanced Placement classes together, including Spanish. “She was the girl that got away” he used to say to us. It was wonderful to see him happy again and having a second chance to fall in love. Along with the love they shared, they enjoyed the company of Lilly, their dog who had a unique and complex relationship with Chris.
A Celebration of Life gathering and open house will be held in his honor from 6:00 pm to 8:00pm, on Tuesday, July 29th at Larkin Mortuary - Riverton, 3688 West 12600 South, Riverton, UT 84065.
We will all miss you Big Guy! Thank you for all the love and joy you brought us.
Guestbook/Condolences
HE was the happiest man!
I always looked forward to the hugs he would give when he saw you
Chris was an integral part of the team and work family here at Matrix Systems. Everyone mourned his passing. I will miss that infectious laugh that would emanate throughout the office. Made me smile every time I heard it. He was a kind-hearted man and made friends with everyone. We will all miss Chris deeply. Our sincerest condolences to Mary and to Chris's family.
In short Chris was full of love. Anyone who knew him had their lives enriched. I'll miss his laugh and hugs.
Chris was a good friend and was always the best hype man! I loved sharing experiences I had with him involving dating and cars. He always had words of excitement and encouragement, no matter what it was I shared with him. It was as if he was living out his younger years again vicariously through me and my stories, and he reveled in it. We also bonded over and shared a passion for watches and cologne. I always loved when he wore his Breitling and was excited when I got to gift him a bottle of cologne that fit the description of the type of scent he enjoyed wearing. Rest easy brother, I'll see you again and can't wait to give you a big bear hug.
Chris was an incredible man and an instant friend. I treasured our friendship since caring for Carol at her passing and enjoyed the conversations we had these past few years. The world lost a great man when Chris passed. His laughter, genuine personality and care for those he came in contact with said more about him that words ever could.
Chris hired me at Risun Technologies. It's been a long time since I talked to him last but I want his family to know that the job Chris hired me for set me up for some great opportunities. I will forever be thankful.
Chris was genuinely a nice person. May he rest in peace.
Jim, Nancy sorry for your loss. I remember good times up in mirror, Lake-grandpa and grandma and a bunch of cousins
I’m sure I’m not the only one that was so surprised to hear of Chris passing. When I think of Chris his great and total devotion to where ever his heart was. Please know we are all thinking of you. The one’s Chris behind.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you
We only got to meet Chris once but it was enough interaction that we could see what a giving and caring guy he was. And his laugh made you smile even if you were in the other room and didn’t hear the joke.
Condolences to Mary Jo, Chris’ siblings and extended family.
My condolences to your family sad to see another classmate leave us.
Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts. May the memories of our beloved classmate live on forever.
Chris and I were in the same class at Cyprus High School. We were in Fiddler on the Roof together if I remember right. I really enjoyed him then but really got to know him at our 50th high school reunion. He is a wonderful person with a fascinating life.
RIP Chris enjoyed working with you
Dear Bowden family,
I'm so sorry on the passing of Chris. It was quite a shock to see his obituary today.
We have so many fond memories of BIG Chris. Loved him. His sense of humor will forever bring joy to our hearts.
Love from Carey & Roseann Hnath, Ivins Utah
To a great cuz memory and good time will always be in my heart. your friendship and smile.
Nancy & Jim, I’m so sorry I can’t be to the services for Chris. He has always been a special cousin to me. We were lucky enough to go to High School together. He was so smart, and always had the biggest smile on his face when we saw each other. It’s hard to believe we’re at this age, but I think of the reunion he is having with all our loved ones and especially Carol. I’ll never forget they invited Kelly & I to come sit in their hot tub with them…. Of course no swim suits allowed! Never did it but it was a fun invitation. I love you Chris and so grateful to always share this wonderful family together for ever….
I never met anyone as authentically kind as Chris. People like him usually only exist in stories, guy was a legend. I’m grateful to have met him, he will be missed.
I met Chris at his storage unit office in Hurricane, UT. I would talk with him every month by phone, it was the highlight of my day every time we talked. He was so much fun, and so kind. It made my life better for having known him.