Sonny Lee Bowling, 63, of Elizabethton, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, from the Johnson City Medical Center from injuries sustained in an accident. Sonny was a native of Carter County and a son of the late Herman Carl Bowling and Mary White Bowling. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a canine pal, Santa Fe Bowling.
Sonny retired from the Elizabethton Electric System and was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church. He was a member of the Tennessee Moose Association, where he attained the Fellowship Degree, which is the highest degree of the Moose. He loved to play golf and loved animals.
Sonny enjoyed spending time with his family and special friends and music — he was Dena and Garrett’s biggest fan.
Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Dena Layne Bowling, of the home; three sons, James Garrett Bowling, of the home, Aaron Travis Bowling and Timothy Wayne Mink, both of Elizabethton; two grandchildren, Gage and Gunner Mink, of Elizabethton; three brothers, Larry Bowling and Bob Bowling, both of Elizabethton, and Joe Bowling, of Philadelphia; two sisters, Kathy Smith and Brenda Hawks, both of Elizabethton; and his canine pals, Cocoa Bowling and Sweet Pea Bowling, both of the home. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
A service to honor the life of Sonny Lee Bowling will be conducted at 7 p.m. Friday, May 27, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Rev. Travis Biller officiating. Music will be under the direction of the Potter Family. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, prior to the service, or at the residence of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Hester “Bill” Layne, at other times. The graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 28, at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be James Garrett Bowling, Aaron Travis Bowling, Timothy Wayne Mink, Barry Potter, Billy Potter, Terry “Mud” Montgomery, Chris Cordell, Mike Little, Herbert Layne, Mike Malone and Gary Thornsbury. Honorary pallbearers will be Petie Taylor, Butch Andes, Larry Andes, Adam Matherly and all of his past and present lineman brothers of the Elizabethton Electric System. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the funeral home at 10:15 a.m. Saturday to go in procession. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the Burn Center. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guest book.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Bowling family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.