Joe Bowling was the epitome of a newspaper reporter
Published 10:00 am Monday, August 8, 2016
A former member of our STAR family died this week. Joe Bowling during his 40 plus years working at the STAR wore the hats of sports and outdoor editor, photographer, reporter, and for a brief stint served as editor of the newspaper.
Although the newspaper was a big part of Joe’s life, he did a lot of other things. He served for a time on the Elizabethton Housing and Development Agency Board of Directors and as Director of the Elizabethton Boys Club.
When I first came to work at the STAR in the late 1960s, Joe did many jobs. He arrived early in the morning, and usually made a pot of coffee. As photographer, he would process his film and print photos. In between times while the film was processing and the printed photos were drying, Joe would “peck” out a sports story on his old Underwood typewriter. Joe wasn’t a typist, per se. He was a “hunt and peck” guy. He typed with two fingers. In the meantime, he would answer the telephone, taking down scores from a ballgame the night before.
Oftentimes, he would stop what he was doing, to take a scheduled photo assignment, or to rush out to cover a wreck or house fire.
When Joe finished his work at the STAR around 12 noon or 1 p.m., it was off to the Boys Club where he served as director. He would work there until 5 or 6 p.m., go home for supper, and oftentimes head out to cover a ballgame, make a photo, or cover a city or county meeting before calling it a day.
Joe was a hustler when it came to work. He enjoyed covering sports, especially Elizabethton High School football. He was one of the Cyclones’ biggest fans, having played football at the school during his high school days. His three sons, Mike, Mark and Matt, also attended Elizabethton High and participated in sports.
Oftentimes, Joe was the first to arrive at work in the morning. Out of habit, he would stop at the UPI wire machine which he passed on his way to the darkroom to unload his camera and begin processing film. Joe would stop long enough to pick up the curly-cue of wire copy that had accumulated during the night, “rip” it into individual stories, and lay it on Editor Bill Jenkins’ desk. He then would proceed to his next little chore of making coffee.
My first assignment as a cub reporter was with Joe. We covered a house fire in Hampton, in which a woman died. Joe was very patient with me as he gave me pointers on what to ask and who to talk to as he rambled through the partially-burned house and took photos.
Thursday, one day after Joe’s death, I ambled through the newsroom and the area that once housed the dark room and wire machine. I thought of those early reporters and photographers, who helped shape not only my newspaper career, but my life — Bill Jenkins, Freddie Behrend, Lucy Ward, Helen Morris Wildasin, Frank Robinson, Elmer Bowling, and of course, Joe Bowling. All are gone except for Bill Jenkins, who is now in his 90s.
I could envision Lucy taking a sassy puff from a cigarette as she pondered her next story. Joe preferred cigars, and was always stinking up the newsroom with them. Freddie was smart and enduring, but he had a short fuse, which blew and then fizzled out fast. Bill was always antsy as he worked against time to make his deadline.
Joe, like me, had been mentored by the best in the business. He never attended college. But, he enjoyed his work and had a love for sports. His job at the STAR allowed him to work at what he enjoyed doing, and he gave it his best. He never was the best speller and he had a hangup about certain words, such as using “there” for “their.” But, thank God for Lucy, who usually edited his copy.
Joe brought a unique energy to reporting. He had his own style of writing, which was exciting and put you right where the action was. The same with his photos.
Joe had been struck by a car at a young age, which left him with a weakened ankle. In later years, the accident injury left his ankle and leg weakened and hampered him somewhat, especially when it came to fishing, a long-time hobby of his.
After his wife, Ann, died, Joe was lost and at times lost his way. Ann had not only been the love of his life, but his rock. In the years that followed, Joe lost some of his zest and found it hard to carry on without her. He continued to work at the STAR on and off until his health began to fail him. In the late 1990s he went to Indianapolis, Ind., to live with his son, Mike, and family.
During his time with Mike and his family, Joe came to know the Lord and attended church. He was a favorite of the kids. He carried candy and gum to give them, and they called him “Papa Joe.”
Many identified Joe with the STAR. During his time with the STAR he took a lot of pictures, wrote a bunch of stories, and made numerous friends. He’s a part of the STAR’s colorful history and the epitome of a newspaper person.
Wednesday, Joe showed up for his last assignment: Heaven.
So long, old friend. I hope there’s a camera and a pencil and pad in Heaven for you…I’m sure there are some good photo shots there.
—Rozella Hardin, Editorial Director