Douglas Ray Bower

Douglas Ray Bower, 74, of Charlestown, Indiana, passed away on August 3, 2023, after a four-year journey with Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia.

Born on January 8, 1949, to Ernest Bryan and Fern Virginia (Dean) Bower, Doug lived most of his life in New Washington, Indiana. In 1966 he met Betty Avonne Collins, who had recently moved to town from Kentucky. The two married just weeks after Doug graduated high school in 1967.

Douglas was a devoted husband and loving father. He was a proud veteran who served in the US Army in the 169th Engineering Battalion in Vietnam. A man of deep faith, Doug was a member of New Hope Community Church where he served as deacon and assisted in leading the youth group for several years. An avid sportsman, his hobbies included hunting and loading his own ammunition—a skill bolstered by his aptitude for precision and accuracy.

Doug was employed for thirty-one years at Bowles Mattress Company, where he made many treasured friends. Upon his retirement, he and Betty embarked on several travel adventures with friends, including trips to Branson, Mackinac Island, Maine, and his favorite, Alaska.

Doug and Betty had hopes and plans to take more trips when Doug began exhibiting signs of memory loss, which led to the eventual diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia. Although this cruel illness was a thief of Doug’s memory and time here on Earth, it could not steal the memories of family and friends who loved Doug so deeply.

Douglas was predeceased by his parents, Ernest and Fern Bower. He is survived by his devoted wife of fifty-six years, Betty (Collins) Bower; son David (Sharon) Bower of Stone Mountain, Georgia; daughter Valerie (Scott) Gibbs of Brentwood, Tennessee; brother Steven (Gail) Bower of New Washington, Indiana; grandson Matthew Bower of Conyers, Georgia; granddaughter Melanie Bower of Chattanooga, Tennessee; and granddaughters Reagan and Presley Gibbs of Brentwood, Tennessee.

Douglas is also survived by many extended family members, including sisters-in-law Linda (Bill) Fellows and Donna Williams; nephews Bryan (Pam) Bower, Scott (Jill) Fellows, and Cody (Alysha) Williams; nieces Starla (Warren) Peek, Stephanie Carver, and Camille Williams; and honorary grandchildren Abigail, Natalie, Thomas, Henry, and Stephen VanAernam.

Visitation will be at Grayson Funeral Home in New Washington on Tuesday, August 8, 4:00-8:00 pm and Wednesday, August 9, 10:00-11:00 am. The funeral will be held Wednesday, August 9, at 11:00 am.

The family would like to thank those who assisted with Douglas’s care and helped in a variety of ways in recent months: Joe and Kara Donahue, Bryan Bower, Stephanie Carver, Bill and Linda Fellows, Scott and Jill Fellows, Mike and Gayle Hebner, Gary and Elaine Carlisle, Kimberly Wright, Kimberly James, and Pastor Ethan VanAernam. They would also like to express appreciation for Amedisys Hospice and the wonderful caregivers they provided, especially Brittney, Kelley, and Amanda.

Donations in Doug’s memory can be made to Amedisys Hospice (c/o Amedisys Foundation, 3854 American Way, Suite Way, Baton Rouge, LA 70816) and New Hope Community Church building fund (3613 Bethlehem New Washington Road, New Washington, IN 47162).