"Buddy" Bowden

CMSgt (Ret) Chesley E. "Buddy" Bowden Jr. died on Sunday, May 10, 2020 following a sustained bout with various cancers.

Buddy was a Tennessee native, born in Memphis in 1942. He entered the U.S. Army in 1959 serving with the 101st Airborne Division during such historic events as the integration of the University of Mississippi and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Leaving the Army in 1962, he worked for Firestone for a year before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force and eventually becoming a member of the elite Air Force Combat Control Team.

During his Air Force career, he participated in combat deployments in Vietnam and Laos. Afterwards, he served as a parachute instructor and parachute team coach at the U.S. Air Force Academy and as a Combat Controller with the 1st Special Operations Wing Combat Control Team. He eventually retired after 20 years with the highest enlisted rank of Chief Master Sergeant.

During his deployment heavy career, Buddy attained a bachelor's degree and an MBA from Troy State University and graduated with honors. His qualifications included the Air Traffic Control qualification badge, Enlisted Air Crew badge, Master Parachutist Wings, Military Freefall Master Parachutist wings, SCUBA qualification badge, Parachute Riggers badge, and South Vietnamese Senior Parachutist badge. He also earned the Bronze Star Medal with V device and Oak Leaf Cluster (indicating subsequent award), the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the RVN Cross of Gallantry and various unit, service, and campaign awards.

Following his successful Air Force career, he became a licensed real estate broker and led or was a part of several successful business ventures to include working as a right-of-way agent for AT&T and traveling the eastern United States before eventually settling in Hohenwald with his wife, Constance.

He was a Master Mason and a member of Hohenwald Lodge #607.

He is survived by his wife, Constance; his sisters, Judy (Don) Chandler and Marilyn (Billy) Powers; his children, Beau (Becky) Bowden, Joan (Rock) Murphy, Calley (John) Cook, Sherry (Marty) Petty and Julie (Joshua) Theiss; grandchildren, Ben, Amanda, Andi, Adam, Cassie, Catie, Courtney, Kayla, Miranda, C.J. and Gavin; great-grandchildren, Troy, Joey, Kherington, Maddux, Harper, and Teagan.

The family suggests, in lieu of flowers or gifts, contributions be made to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation https://specialops.org/ or a charity of their choice.

No services will be held at this time. Adair Funeral and Cremation Services assisted the family with arrangements.