On March 12, 2011, George Hancock Bowles, 86, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many, passed away at his home with his loving wife by his side.

George was born in Milo, Idaho April 23, 1924 to Earnest Richard and Clarissa Elizabeth Hancock Bowles. He was the 8th of nine children.

His youth was spent in the Ammon, Yukon, and Milo area. Early on, he was known as a hard-working young man, working for other people from the time he was 8 years of age. His father passed away when George was 6 years old. The depression was on and life was hard, with little money earned given to his widowed mother to support their family.

With the on-set of World War II, on December 15, 1943 he took the exam to enter the Air Force. His basic training was at Buckley Field located in Colorado. He served as a tail-gunner on a B-17 over occupied Germany. He spent just shy of two years serving his country and flying 34 missions. His life was spared as he was given a promise that he would go on to fulfill an LDS mission.

Shortly after returning home to Idaho, he decided to serve the Lord and was called to serve his LDS mission in Brazil. He spent 2-1/2 years teaching the gospel to the Portuguese people. He was one of the first 6 missionaries to serve in Brazil and by the time he served an honorable mission the area was strong and growing.

Meeting his sweetheart on a blind date, they corresponded through letters building a friendship that resulted in 62 years of marriage. George married Joyce Hogan Bowles on April 27, 1949 in the Idaho Falls LDS temple. They began their life together in Hatch, Idaho farming and ranching. After five years they moved to Quincey, Washington to work on a promising project through the government involving water irrigation, returning after two years to work on the ranch alongside his father-in-law A. Nelson Hogan.

With a growing family, in May of 1969, George and Joyce moved their family to Lago, Idaho and established the Ho-Bow Acres Dairy, Inc. where they have resided for more than 42 years. He worked for Monsanto for nine years while building up his Grade-A dairy business to a productive herd of over 200 milking cows, which taught his children how to follow his example of hard work.

He was a member of the American Legion - he had a great love for and was honored to serve his country being very patriotic. He was instrumental in heading the organization of Lago Sprinkler system and later Trout Creek Water Corp. bringing water to over 40 homes in the Lago area. He was an active member in the LDS Church serving in many positions, with one of the most enjoyable callings serving in the Logan LDS Temple.


George is survived by his wife Joyce and their seven children; Lonna B. Anderson (Blaine) of Layton, Utah; Rex G. Bowles (Patty) of Anchorage, Alaska and Na-Alehu, Hawaii; Val Kay Bowles (Sandy) of Blylthe, California; Randy R. Bowles of Boise, Idaho; Lorri Fullmer (Kurt) of Clarkston, Utah; Trudy Bowles of Providence, Utah; and Shaun H. Bowles (Dianna) of Logan, Utah. They have 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren with another coming in July.

Heroes are Ordinary people doing extraordinary things. He lived this motto through his hard work and wonderful example of the gospel to his family and friends. We will always remember this giant of a man who taught us how to be the best in all that we do. We love you dad and are honored to have such a great heritage.

Services will be held on Friday, March 18, 2011 at Noon at the Thatcher-Williams Ward Chapel in Niter, Idaho. The family will visit with friends on Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Church and also on Friday morning from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Church prior to services. Burial will be in the Lago Cemetery.