Rodney I. Bowling

Colonel Rodney Ireland Bowling, United States Army, (Retired), age 93, of Owings, Maryland died on December 25, 2022, surrounded by his loving children and family.

Rod grew up in Omar, West Virginia and graduated from Logan Senior High School in 1947.  He went on to work at West Virginia Coal and Coke Corporation and then to Jr. Mercantile Store while joining the Army Reserve Unit.  In 1961, he was called to Active Service Duty and began his career with the US Army.

His service to his country included a distinguished 20-year military career in the US Army, including two combat tours in Vietnam, a duty tour in Brampton, United Kingdom and Ottawa, Canada.  In addition to these international assignments, Rod also had several domestic assignments within the United States.  He received several awards and decorations, among them a Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, a Meritorious Service Medal and an Army Commendation Medal.

Rod graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science.  Upon retiring from the US Army, Rod went on to work for Greenhorne and O’Mara, Inc. and the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

Rod took a special interest in his family, being surrounded by (5) generations most of his life.  He took pride in all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and displayed all of their letters and playbills.  Other interests included collecting John Wayne memorabilia, stamp collecting, coin collecting and documenting his family history. 

Born in Omar, West Virginia to Mary Louise (Lilly) Bowling and Roby Ireland Bowling, Rod was the first of four children.  He married Romaine “Ro” Smith of Logan, West Virginia in 1950.  They were married 69 years.  Ro preceded Rod in death, in 2019.

Rod is survived by his three children: daughter and son-in-law, DeAnna and Dennis “Ray” Forsht of Buckeye, Arizona; son and daughter-in-law, Rexford “Rex” and Donna Bowling of Dunkirk, Maryland; son, Robert “Rob” Bowling of Owings, Maryland.

Rod leaves behind eight grandchildren: Richard, Ronnie, Jaime, Kelly, Matthew, Ryan, Mitchell, Monica and thirteen great-grandchildren: Anthony, Jordan, Carmel, Lilly, Ethan, Megan, Michael, Lucas, Tyler, Emmaline, Olivia, Molly and Giovanni.

He is also survived by his brother, William Bowling of Kentucky and sister, Laura Meadows of Kentucky.

Rod was preceded in death by his wife, Romaine Smith Bowling, his brother, James Bowling, and his parents.

Rod will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

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