Henry Bowles

Henry Wesley Bowles Sr., 80, of Chattanooga, Tenn., passed away from a lengthy illness on Feb. 19, 2017. During his illness, there were so many who took care of him and made his journey a little easier. Thank you to the following for providing excellence in care and comfort: Bright Star, Erlanger Hospital, Siskin, Life Care, Hospice of Chattanooga and Health Center at Standifer Place (Dalton Place). Henry Bowles was born in Chattanooga on Oct. 14, 1936. He graduated from Howard High School, class of 1955, and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Lane College, Jackson Tenn. While at Lane College, he was student council president, Business Manager and Who’s Who among students in American universities and colleges. Jackson, Tenn., is where he met and married Joyce Ann Clark Bowles, of Jackson, on June 19, 1960. Henry had a long, illustrious career as an educator and coach at Howard High School. In August of 1959, he began his career under the leadership of Dr. C.C. Bond. Henry was employed as a social studies teacher, assistant football and head baseball coach. He taught American history, civics world history economics health, physical education, sociology, psychology and wellness during his tenure. He received the Evans Teacher of the Year award in 1979. His coaching career spanned 30+ years and included various coaching positions: assistant football coach, head baseball coach, head track coach, cross-country coach and head basketball coach. In August of 1969, Henry was appointed head basketball coach by the late William Murphy. In December 1969, under the devoted leadership of Dr. Clifford Hendrix, he was appointed Athletic Director. During his 29 years as basketball coach, his teams won 616 games, lost 260. His teams qualified for the TSSAA State Tournament 17 times, advancing to the finals twice. He was named coach of the year seven times by the Chattanooga Times and five times by the Chattanooga News Free Press. Henry was inducted into the following Hall of Fames: In 1984, Chattanooga African American Museum Hall of Fame; in 1997, the Greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame; 2003, the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association Hall of Fame. Henry professed his commitment to Christ at an early age and was a member of his family church, New Home Baptist Church, where he served as chairman of the trustee board. He later joined First Baptist Church, East Eighth Street, where he served as the chairman of the deacon and a member of The Alert Men’s Club and usher board. He was a subscribing life member of the NAACP and is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., and the NEA. He was also a member of the African American Museum. Henry leaves to cherish his memories a loving and devoted wife, Joyce Ann Clark Bowles; two children, Etoil Contella Bowles Brown (Gary), Henry Wesley Bowles Jr.; and two dear grandchildren, Caleb Clark Brown and Austin Sinclair Otto Brown; three brothers and two sisters, James Otto Bowes Jr., (Hazel), Jean Bowles, Shirley Ryan, Thomas Bowles and Major Bowles (Sylvia); devoted nieces and nephew, Debra Bowles Wilson, Benda Bowles and Gregory Lynn Bowles and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and many close friends. His parents, James Otto and Fannie Mae Bowles, and his eldest sister, Mollie Bowles preceded Henry in death. The body will lie-in-state at the funeral home today from noon until 4 p.m. The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity's Omega service will take place at 5:30 p.m. today, Feb. 24, 2017, at First Baptist Church, 506 East 8th Street. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at the church. The funeral service will be held at noon Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, at First Baptist Church with Rev. William T. Ladd III officiating. Interment: Lakewood Memory Gardens East. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please send your donations to the Parkinson Foundation or the Multiple Myeloma Foundation. Arrangements by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 622-9995.