Arthur Hubert Bowden

Arthur Hubert Bowden passed away on November 20, 2024 at the age of 98. He was born June 24, 1926 in Flint, Michigan to Rhoda (Thomas) Bowden and William Thomas Bowden who emigrated from Redruth, Cornwall, England in the 1920’s. After graduating from Flint Central High School he joined the US Navy and served in the Philippines and in the protection of Mios Woendi island, (nicknamed “Windy” Island) in New Guinea. In 1950 he wed Peggy Joyce DeVore and shortly thereafter founded Mr. Seat Cover on Court St, a business born of Flint’s connection to the auto industry. In 1968 he opened King Arthur’s Pasties on Third Avenue in Flint employing his children, their friends, his nieces and nephews, young neighbors living near the shop and even his “mum”. There are a raft of stories from so many who spent time making pasties alongside “King” Arthur. An unexpected twist of fate landed him in San Francisco in 1978 and King Arthur’s SF was launched in the South of Market District, at 3rd Street and Brannon. The shop became a favorite in the then-burgeoning area known as China Basin. It operated until 1986. The property a block away was later developed into the ballpark for the San Francisco Giants, Oracle Stadium. In 1994 he married Gloria Bailey and moved to the Montclair neighborhood in Oakland. For a decade he and Gloria enjoyed frequent trips in their Toyota camping van, accompanied by Temmie, their adopted stray dog turned best friend, to locales up and down the West coast, visiting friends and family in San Diego, Vancouver and points in between. After Gloria’s passing in late March 2014, his lucky number was drawn for admission to reside at the Veterans Home of California, where he’d hoped to live his later years. He enjoyed eight months there acting and singing in community plays, taking classes and enjoying baseball games at the diamond on the lush grounds of the campus. He’d hit the jackpot. He formed fast friendships with those he acted alongside and with neighbors. In the last decade after suffering a stroke he continued to thrive due to his remarkable positive outlook, love for his family, friends and those entrusted with his care. His Veterans Home caregivers became friends. During his time in Yountville, family from Boston and Michigan, along with local family gathered often to celebrate birthdays and holidays and Art was feted and regaled by an impromptu (albeit professional) music group; son Dan on guitar, nieces Emma and Juliette singing and stepson-in-law Jim also playing guitar. He beamed with pride hearing the musical magic made by his talented family. Art was predeceased by his parents, mother-in-law, Lillian (Bobbie) DeVore, siblings Iris Smith, Norman Thomas Bowden, Eileen McComb, nieces Marilyn Smith and Cathy Bell, nephews Larry and Dennis Smith. He is survived by daughters Darcy Bowden (Merle Kramer) and Lori Bowden Christopher (John), son Dan Bowden (Caroline) and stepdaughter Susan Bailey Perrito (James) and his grandchildren, Calum Bowden, Chloe Bowden, Emma Christopher and Juliette Christopher, nephews, Robert McComb and James Smith, Tom Bowden and nieces Janice Hendrix and Cindy Cole. Also by those who consider him “grandfather”: Matthew Johnson, Julia (Freeland) Barkhausen, Rebecca (Freeland) Fisher and Dru Bailey. The family is grateful to the many friendly, compassionate and skilled caregivers who helped our dad along the way including Mira McGilvrey and Dr. Teshome.

Tributes

Arthur Hubert Bowden

June 24, 1926 - November 20, 2024