James was called “Pop” by his kids, grandkids and great grandchildren and was known as “Uncle Tootsie” by his relatives. 

Born in Carthage, Mississippi, September 16, 1925, James was a longtime resident of Picayune, Miss., and was residing in Baton Rouge at the time of his death, June 18, 2017. 

He was 91 years old.  He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of World War II serving as a Sergeant in the Pacific Theater, served with the Aviation Ground Support during the invasion of Guam, and the Occupation of the Solomon Islands.  He joined the military at age 18 and was discharged at age 20. 

After graduating from Carthage High School and serving his country, James attended the University of Mississippi on the GI Bill, graduating from Ole Miss with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. 

He met and married the love of his life, Sue Goolsby, of New Albany, Miss. while at Ole Miss where they graduated together.  James worked for the United States Geological Survey, Department of the Interior, in Mississippi, Arizona, Missouri, and Alabama. 

After retiring from USGS, he worked for various government contractors at Stennis Space Center, Bay St. Louis.  He was a licensed professional engineer and past president of the Mississippi Chapter of American Society of Civil Engineers and was named Mississippi Engineer of the year. 

He enjoyed golfing, and in his later years his favorite song, which became his theme song, “You Are My Sunshine” was sung loudly and often for him at family gatherings.

James is survived by his sons, James Bowie and wife Karen, of Lafayette, and Earl Bowie and wife, Deborah, of Covington; daughter, Sally Daly and husband Nelson, of Baton Rouge; grandchildren, Krista Ickles and husband David, stationed in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Lesley Wolfe, of Baton Rouge, Sarah Francois and husband Aaron, of Youngsville, Julia Bowie, of Youngsville, Elizabeth Bowie, of New Orleans, Roger Bowie, of New Orleans, Laura Lamar and husband Anthony, of Monroe, James Bowie, of Covington; great grandchildren, Joshua, Alyssa, Garrett and Hailey Ickles of Abu Dhabi, UAE, Michael, Kate and Logan Francois, of Youngsville, Nathan Bowie, of Gonzales, and Vivienne Bowie, of New Orleans; and a dear friend, Mrs. Peggy Brown of Baton Rouge. 

James is preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Sue Goolsby “Mama Sue” Bowie; parents, Andrew and Sallie Bowie; sisters, Opal Hogue, and Myrtis Fayard; and a brother, Frank Bowie. 

James’ proudest accomplishments were the fact that his three children all have docorates: Jim, Jr, a PhD in Civil Engineering, Roger Earl, an MD and Sally, a DDS, the fact his grand son-in-law, David Ickles is a Lt. Col. in the U.S. Marines and proud of the engineers who followed in his footsteps, Jim, Jr., Sarah Francois and Aaron Francois, as well as all the education and degrees earned by the rest of his family. 

Visitation will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government Street, Thursday, June 22, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. until religious services at noon conducted by Rev. Trey Nelson. Burial with military honors will follow at 1:30 p.m. in Louisiana National Cemetery, in Zachary, La..

Special thanks to Charlett Cockerham and other caregivers Audubon Hospice and Physicians and Staff of Ochsner.