Vernon Burke Bowling

Vernon Burke Bowling, 80, of Abilene, passed away on August 3, 2022 in Abilene, Tx.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 281 Tweetie Pie Lane, Abilene, Tx 79602.

Funeral Services will be held at 3pm on Monday, August 8, 2022 at Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene with Military Honors and officiated by Randy Estes of Victory Church. Burial will follow at Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6649 Buffalo Gap Road.

Vernon was born in Philadelphia to Vernon Maynard Bowling and Elizabeth Bowling on September 10, 1941. He went to school at Florida Institute of Technology and received his Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Technology. He married Janet Leigh Schlink on October 18,1968 at Fort Sam Houston Chapel in San Antonio,Texas. He worked as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force for 10 years, then later transitioned to NASA as an Aerospace Engineer. Afterwards, he worked for Lockheed Missiles and Space for 20 years. Then he finished his career at Texas Aerospace in Abilene, Tx in 2019 at the young age of 78. He was a veteran of Vietnam and served in the Airforce. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Elizabeth Bowling, his wife, Janet Bowling, and 3 uncles. 

Vernon is survived by his 3 children: Daughter Lori Anne Champion and her husband, Glenn Butch Champion, Son Daniel Bowling and his wife Erica Bowling,and daughter, Jennifer Epstein. Grandchildren, Amber Shipman and husband Gary Shipman, Josh Wilson, Shaun Wilson and wife Courtney Wilson, Cassidy Champion, Megan Bowling, Cody Ohlemacher and wife Sydney Ohlemacher, Carli Ohlemacher, Emily Bowling, Tiffani Velasquez & husband Ramon and 13 great-grandchildren.

Donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.

The Family of Vernon wishes to extend our sincere thanks to South Taylor County EMS (STEMS) first responders and the sheriff's office.