John was born on July 30, 1949, to John Hurst and Grace (Timmons) Bowden. He was an alumnus of Blake High School, class of 1967, graduating as the class president. His other accolades included serving as president all four years of high school; vice president in student/executive council, membership in the Honors Society, Marching Yellow Jackets Band as saxophonist, Yearbook Staff, and Esquires Social Club.

He continued his education at Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA., freshman class of 1967. Throughout his college career he was a member of Morehouse College Chorus, Alpha Phi Alpha- Alpha Rho Chapter (Fall 69) and Black Alumni Association at the University of South Florida. He was also a member of Beulah Baptist International Church (Tampa, FL), NAACP (Hillsborough Branch), and the Democratic Black Caucus. He was involved in the community and economic development of West Tampa, and served as an activist for affirmative action and equal opportunities for African Americans. Over a span of thirty years, John proudly worked for Tropicana, the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court, and Anheuser-Busch Company; there he worked as a chemist, brew master, and master taster. John enjoyed good music, great singing, and savory soul food. He was most passionate about his family, friends, associates, fraternity, and his community of West Tampa.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John Hurst and Grace (Timmons) Bowden.

He leaves to cherish precious memories with his wife, Alyson Baker Bowden; children, Beverly Bowden-Humbert, John "Andre" Bowden, Jr. (Eticia), Ricardo K. Wright, Sr. (Reshelle), and Michael John Bowden; grandchildren, EbonyAshley Wright-Hunt (Paul), Ashley Bowden, Jordan Bowden-Hodge (Ashlee), Sanera Bowden, Beverly Bowden, Ricardo Wright II, Diamond Bowden-Mungin (Andre), Armani Humbert, Imaiya-Milan Wright, Aillianna Bowden, Amethyst Humbert, Jonvantae Bowden, Andre Bowden, Cambray Bowden, Annaliyah Bowden, Jaxson Bowden, and Bella Rose Bowden; ten great-grandchildren, Azaria-Dior Hunt, Paul Hunt II, Asia Brianna Cannon, Jackson America Bowden, Jayce Taylor, Brielle Mahlia Gibson, Grace Nichole Bowden, Michael Gregory Ambrose, Jr., and Justice Alexander Manyingya; brother-in-law, Keith Baker (Krista) and a host of special godbrothers; godsister, Ursel Staten (Andre) of Atlanta, GA and a host of special godsisters; a host of loving aunts and extended aunts; a host of extended uncles, niece-in-law, Alyssa Baker; nephew-in-law, Matthew Baker; cousins, Duane L. Timmons (Rosemary) of Atlanta, GA and a host of loving cousins and extended cousins; parents-in-law, Alfonso and Constance Baker; special daughter, Tiffany Mayo-Chambers (Jonathan) and two special "grands", Stone and Harper Chambers.

Memorial Service
Saturday, November 26, 2022
1:00 PM
Aikens Funeral Home
2708 E Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Tampa, FL 33610