Bryce Bowden

Former Durango resident Bryce Allen Bowden died July 3, 2014 in Dumfries, VA from respiratory heart failure. He was 39. He was born to Joe and Elaine Bowden in Baton Rouge, LA on April 26, 1975. Bryce moved with his parents to Durango, CO when he was four years old. He grew up active in the family business and church. After attending Riverview and Mason Elementary Schools and Smiley Junior High School he graduated from Durango High School in 1993 where he excelled in sports, music, knowledge bowl and received a first place in the regional science fair. Bryce attended Fort Lewis College where he excelled in choral music. Bryce joined Walmart in 1998 when the Durango store opened and worked his way up from overnight stocker to become a store manager and then the Market Asset Protection Manager for the Southern Colorado Region. He worked for the company until 2013 relocating to several locations including Georgia, New Mexico, Washington, Colorado and Nebraska. He was married to Rinda Ward from 2005 to 2007. His daughter, Grace Lillian was born March 5, 2006. In 2008 he met Sandra Roberts in Colorado Springs and they were married in Las Vegas in 2010 surrounded by family and friends including his two stepsons Kenny and Brayden. Her Air Force career recently moved the family to Northern Virginia. His generosity and kindness has left him with friends from all walks of life all across the country.
Bryce was active in Scouting from Cub Scouts through becoming an Eagle Scout in 1993. He was active in the Order of the Arrow Kwahadi Lodge #78. As an adult scout he received the Founder’s Award from the Great Southwest Council, Mesa Verde District in 1995 and went on to earn his Woodbadge beads. His love of the founding principles of Scouting led him to assist in the Brownsea program for several years. Bryce loved sports including softball, volleyball, golf and was a die-hard Broncos and Rockies fan.
Bryce is survived by his parents, Joe and Elaine Bowden, his wife of four years Sandra Roberts-Bowden, daughter Grace Bowden, two step sons Kenny and Brayden, his sister Shelley Bowden-Wiese, nephew Cedric Bowden-Weise, niece Ilsa Bowden-Wiese and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. July 26, 2014 at First Baptist Church, corner of 3rd Ave and 11th St. Durango, CO. Cremation has occurred. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Whispering Pines Bible Camp Scholarship Fund c/o First Baptist Church 332 East 11th Street Durango, CO 81301 or on line at http://www.firstbaptistdurango.org/Give.htm