James (Jimbo) Patrick Bowman, Jr.

James Patrick Bowman Jr (Jimbo), age 51, formerly of Grant and Novi, MI

Jim made his last undignified and largely irreverent gesture on September 27th 2023, signing off on a life generally well-lived and with few regrets.  It pains me to admit it, but apparently I have passed away. Everyone told me it would happen one day, but that’s simply not something I wanted to hear, much less experience.  I was born, I blinked and it was over.  “So I guess I’m off to the promised land, eh?  The promised land!  Imagine!

Jim was born and immediately dubbed “the favorite child” to Patti Morgan Bowman and James Bowman Sr on Feb 28th, 1972 in Royal Oak, MI and thankfully God has broken the mold.  You'll never meet another man as kind, dedicated, humorous, or with such an incredible voice and more music logged in his head than a record shop in the 70’s.  He was a musician, a father to many, a menace to society, a lover and a fighter. And, he did it all with ease.
He spent his formative years in Farmington, MI, raising cane during his childhood with cousins, Christine and Skip.   He graduated from Farmington Hills high school in 1990 and earned a degree from Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts.

After graduation he tied the knot with Tina Cullen. Their daughter Jessie (Trevor Lacca) describes him as a loving father, the best lead singer in the car, and a great papa to his grandchildren, Penelope (P2)  and Theo (Tito)  They will grow up with his very own rendition of toddler songs on record to preserve his loving voice and energy forever.

He met Mellissa Hanes 1998 and took up residence in Grant in 2005.  They produced two children, Amelia and Joseph Bowman, both of Grant.  In 2013 they realized they had miscounted the number of children they had underfoot and made Ayden Longcore officially a member of their rollicking home in 2017.  Jim’s love for his children, which he referred to as his legacy,  was never in question and was especially evident in the progress he made in working through his latest struggles in life.  And “he was gosh dang good at it”.  “ I could not of asked for a better person to raise me
and teach me the bittersweet truths of the world”  “ He never stopped thinking of us as his kids no matter what we did, said, or put him through.”  All of them have inherited his love of music, talent and incredible voice.  These are the irreplaceable treasures his children will take with them wherever there journey in life takes them. The memories they are left with are so precious and more valuable than all the gold and silver in Detroit's Hardcore Pawn Shop.
“God blessed me with two girls and two sons that represent a piece of me which I have unleashed upon the world.  Each are unique in there own way but with a little bit of the ‘ol man shining through. I’ll always be your #1 fan! None of you will ever know how much better you've made me.”  “So in the end, remember… do your best, follow your arrow, and make something amazing out of your life.  Oh, and never stop smiling.  I’ll leave you with this…Love you forever.”

Jim was a dedicated employee  at Art Van Furniture for over 20 years.  He later went to work for HB Fuller, and he gathered many life long friends in his career.  For the last several years Jim hosted two popular radio pod casts at Cave Radio. They were appropriately named the Effin Jimbo Show and S**t My Kids Listen To. Jimbo used his education and natural talent to share his love of music by DJ’ing countless weddings and parties over the years through his business JB Sounds. You could always count on him to bring the most fun to any party.  He was heavily involved and a respected member of the board of directors for Lionheart Productions; singing and dancing through many theater productions.  His children and nephews will continue this legacy in his honor.  Jim was a member of the Dearborn Masonic Lodge and Shriners.  He embraced his solemn vows to his comrades and hobnobbed with them often.  He was never one for sentiment or religiosity, but he was ordained under the church of Dudaism and he wanted you to know that if he owes you a beer, and if you can find him in Heaven, he will gladly allow you to buy him another.  He will likely be forwarding tasteless internet jokes (don’t open these at work) or actively looking for boobs.

 “In January of 1995 while delivering mattresses early one Sunday morning in Mexicantown Detroit, I drove my 12‘6“ Art Van delivery truck under a bridge marked 12‘6‘.  It scraped all the ice off the top and created a couple of vent holes.  I’ve been carrying that for 28 years.  I had to get it off my chest.”  

Please don’t cry because I’m gone; instead be happy that I was here.
(Or maybe you can cry a little bit.  After all, I have passed away).
But today I am happy and I am dancing.  Probably naked...

Jim is survived by wife, Mellissa Hanes; his parents, Patti Bowman and James (Linda Arrowwood) Bowman, Sr.; his mother-in-law, Mary Jo (Bill Simon); and his siblings, Brian (Patty) Bowman and Angela Preston.  He leaves many nieces and nephews to grieve.  He was preceded in death by his step mother Roberta Bowman and father-in-law Michael Hanes as well as his aunts Pam and Penny.

Although a less than average life span, Jim did not live an average life.  Thank you Jim, for your sense of humor that can make the most stoic people laugh and loving your family and friends with your whole heart.  We were blessed with the time we had with you. In his memory we ask that you belt out your favorite song at your next karaoke opportunity.

“This pain, this sadness is the price we will pay for loving him.  It was worth it, this pain is worth it.”

Because Jim was so deeply loved across the state, his life will be celebrated in both of the areas he called home to ensure all family and friends can join together to honor his accomplishments and impact on our lives.

East Side Services:
Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 3, 2023 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. with a Masonic Service at 7:00 p.m.  The Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap, Northville.

West Side Services:
Visitation will be held Sun Oct 8th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at The Vine 112 E Commerce St in Grant with services commencing at 3:00 p.m. Dinner and music will be provided during a “Celebration of Life” at 4:00 at VFW Post 4249, 9075 Mason Drive, Newaygo.

Music lives. Forever. It's stronger than death. Stronger than time. And its strength holds you together when nothing else can.

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