Charles Bowles

Athens - Charles E. Bowles, 82, of Athens, died Monday, July 6, 2026 at Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio.

Born November 4, 1943, in Athens, Ohio, he was the son of the late Elson and Lucille Dalton Bowles. Charlie was a 1961 graduate of Athens High School were he played football, basketball and a mean trumpet in the band. He retired from GTE in Athens after many years of service. Charlie was a big sports fan his entire life. He was a big Ohio State Buckeyes fan, loved following the Cincinnati Reds and was a suffering Cleveland Browns supporter. He loved a good John Wayne movie and riding his lawn mower cutting grass. He would often listen to the Ohio State Marching Band, or as he called them, “The Best Damn Band in the Land.” He enjoyed the outdoors while camping at Lake Snowden.

He is survived by one daughter, Kathy (Jason Crowley) Bowles; a special friend, Cheryl Jones; a sister-in-law, Shirley Bowles; two nephews. David (Denise) Bowles and Greg (Jane) Leach and three nieces Judy (Bob) Yost, Pam (Chip) Edgington and Jeffra Kinniard.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Harry Bowles and one sister Pauline Leach.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 on Friday, July 10, 2026 at Athens Memory Gardens in Athens, Ohio with Phil Foster officiating. Visitation will be held at the Hughes Funeral Home in Athens from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM on Friday. Friends are encouraged to sign the online guestbook at ehwfh.com.