James L. Bowens

BERLIN HEIGHTS - James “Bones” Bowens left those of us who knew and loved him unexpectedly on March 24, 2021 after a brief illness.  He was born on October 8, 1972 in Sandusky OH. 

James grew up in Berlin Heights, and attended Edison Schools, graduating in 1991. He loved playing football and baseball for the Edison Chargers.  After graduating he went immediately into the Air Force, where he began his lifelong career of protecting and serving.  During his 5 years in the Air Force, he served in Florida, Indiana, Saudi Arabia, Korea, and Guam.  The majority of his military time was spent in Guam where he forged life-long friendships.  The crew from Guam reunited years later and met yearly for a ‘Guam Reunion” at the Islands every summer, a week he always looked forward to. 

After his discharge from the Air Force, James began his career as a police officer and worked at the Huron Police Department.  Throughout his law enforcement career, he enjoyed working with the Erie County SRT as well as working on the water on the Huron Police boat as well as the ECSO boat.  He retired from the HPD in November of 2020, proudly service the community for 24 years.  That, combined with his time in the military, was almost 30 years protecting and serving. 

Those who knew “Bones” knew his love of gaming and the close group of friends he had of over 20 plus years of gaming.  He and his friends met at least once yearly for a gaming long weekend, where the group of guys would come from all over the country.  It was a passion of James, one he absolutely enjoyed throughout his life. 

“Bones” as he was affectionately known, loved fishing either on his boat or in the creek behind his and Cindy’s house as well as deer hunting.  He loved to travel and spend time with his friends.  There wasn’t much someone would ask of him that he wouldn’t stop to help them with, with a smile and a beer. 

James leaves behind the love of his life, Cindy Neer Norcross and her children, Noah and Gabrielle, his brother and sister-in-law, Scott and Mandy Bowens and their children, Talia, Ben and Paige, his mother and stepfather, Sharon and Howard Harris, his aunt, Jean Raboin, stepbrothers, Justin and Loree Harris and their children, Ryan and McKenzie, and Jeramy and Jamie Butler. He is also survived by a niece, Sky, other family members, and an amazing amount of very close friends. 

He is preceded in death by his father, Laudie, grandparents, Cecil and Ellen Bowens, and Andy and Loucreassia Case, and aunts and uncles, Wayne Raboin, Jim Bowens, and Bernie “Blackie” and Carol Black. 

There will be a graveside military service at Riverside Cemetery, Berlin Hts., on May 15th starting at 11am.  We will follow that with a “Celebration” as James wanted there to be at the Harbor House (upstairs) from 1-6 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “The 22 Project” (www.support22project.org) in memory of James.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fosterfh.com.

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