TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Merit with oak leaf cluster, The Meri- torious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation medal, and the Repub- lic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. Bowden also was authorized to wear the Combat Infantryman’s badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, and the Parachut- ist Badge. In 1983, Bowden return to SCSU as Professor of Military Science where he holds the school’s record for commis- sioning the most cadets, many of whom are currently serving with the rank of General. He retired in December 1986, after 26 years of exemplary service. Upon his retirement, he worked in higher education as vice president for Development and Institutional Advance- ment, SCSU; dean of Institutional Ad- vancement, Denmark Technical College; adjunct professor in the Honors College and executive assistant to the president, Claflin (SC) University, respectively. Bowden, a devout Christian (Episco- palian), served faithfully at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Orangeburg, SC, in various capacities, including as an ordained Deacon. In August 1998, he was ordained as a priest, was assigned to The Church of the Redeemer in Pineville, SC, where he served a grateful congregation for 10 years before retiring for health reasons. Bowden was an active in the Orange- burg community serving on various boards and commissions. He was inducted into the Army ROTC and Jazz Halls of Fame at SCSU. He was a Life Member of the Fraternity and a charter member of Delta Chi Boule’, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc. In addition to his parents, Bowden was predeceased by his beloved sister, Audrey B. Greene. He is survived by his loving, devoted wife and caretaker, Ruth- ie (née Gallman) Bowden; three sons, Gary T. Bowden, Steven E. (Deadra) Bowden, Columbia, SC; Gregory M. (Deidra) Bowden (Orangeburg (SC) Alumni 1996); granddaughter, Audrey S. Bowden; grandsons, Stevan R. Bowden, Gary C. Bowden and John T. Bowden,
of the chapter’s Scholarship committee from [1952-2017]. The chapter raised over $300,000 in scholarship money under the years Blacksheare chaired the Scholarship Committee, where the committee donated more than $300,000 under his leadership. Blacksheare was a member of the Southern Province Board of Directors [1966-1978]. His community and civic involvement included Chairman of the Seminole County Port Authority, city of Sanford Planning and Zoning Board, Trustees for Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, Board of Directors for SEEDCO, District Advi- sory Board for HRS, Board Chairman of the Seminole County N.A.A.C.P., Board of Trustees at Seminole State College and as a member of the 18 th Judicial Cir- cuit Nominating Commission. He was also the Coordinator for the Bethune- Cookman University Continuing Educa- tion Program for 17 years. Blacksheare helped establish the Young Men of Excellence program, a Seminole County program intended to encourage African- American students' success. He was a proud member of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church in Sanford. Blacksheare was named Seminole County’s Principal of the Year and re- ceived the N.A.A.C.P. Outstanding Ser- vice Award. The Orlando (FL) Alumni Chapter contributed an article on Black- sheare published in the Summer 2017 issue of the Kappa Alpha Psi Journal, chronicling his lifetime of community service and dedication to the Fraternity. In 2018, the Seminole County School District named the ninth-grade center at Seminole High School after Blacks- heare. Brother Edward L. Blacksheare was preceded in death by wife Susie Har- rington-Blacksheare and granddaughter Armeshia Blacksheare. He leaves a loving family, including two sons Edward (Melva) Blacksheare, Jr., and Allen Holi- day. Four grandchildren - Jason Black- sheare, Edna (Frederick) Blacksheare- Smith, Chioke (Asha) Blacksheare, and Lilly Holiday. Four great-grandchildren – Nautica Blacksheare, Caleb Smith, Hannah Smith, and Mya Smith. One
Rev. Col. (Ret.) John T. Bowden, Jr. 1938–2020 Educator, Minister, U.S. Army John T. Bowden, great-great-grandchild – Nehemiah Blacksheare-Lemos. Former spouse: Pa- tricia Simmons; Also, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Jr. (Alpha Lambda 1958) entered the Chapter Invisible on Thursday, June 4, 2020, at his home surrounded by mem- bers of his family. He was born on March
30, 1938 in Great Falls, SC, the oldest son of the late John T. Bowden, Sr. and Ruth (née Burley) Bowden of Charles- ton, SC. He received his early education in the Catholic schools in Charleston, SC through the 10th grade, and gradu- ated from Burke High School in 1956. He graduated from South Carolina State College (now University) with a degree in chemistry in 1960. He graduated as a Distinguished Military Student and was commissioned as a second lieuten- ant in the United States Army, Infantry Branch. While on active duty, Bowden contin- ued his education. He earned a master’s degree in human resource management from Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. He completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Infantry Officer Advance Course, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and U.S. Army War College. Throughout his military career, Bowden held a variety of command and staff positions, including principal instructor, personnel management and operations, U.S. Army Infantry School; project man- ager officer for the modernizing of the Saudi Arabian National Guard; director of management studies, U.S. Army War College; and Professor of Military Sci- ence, South Carolina State University. The U.S. Army recognized Bowden with numerous awards, honors, and military decorations, including The Legion of
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