DL Capt. Ed M. Bowlin

~ IN MEMORY ~

Georgia Aviation Hall of Famer

USAF veteran, DL Capt. Ed M. Bowlin

February 24, 1935 ~ March 7, 2014

 

      

 

The aviation community is saddened with the loss of a great friend, one who inspired and mentored many young aviators to pursue their dreams.....USAF veteran, retired Delta pilot and Delta Golden Wings member Captain Ed Bowlin has passed away.   He was 79 years of age at the time of his passing yesterday March 7th.  Captain Bowlin joined Delta Air Lines 12-03-1956.   Friends and family will gather Sunday afternoon, March 9th, 2014 at the Conner-Westbury Funeral Home in Griffin between the hours of 3:00 to 5:00 PM to share in his memory.

 

To view/sign the online guestbook please visit the funeral home website at http://www.conner-westburyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/   or     http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/commercialappeal/obituary.aspx?n=ED-BOWLIN&pid=170055016  Survived by his wife Connie personal condolences may be sent to the family at

95 Cedar Ridge Airport Road,  Griffin  GA 30223-6804  ..  (770) 228-5186-H  (770) 329-7263

Thank you,
~ Carol

 

Captain Connie Bowlin, Captain Ed Bowlin’s widow writes:  Today, March 7th 2014, Ed Bowlin passed away peacefully at home.  My prayer throughout his illness has been that I would be here for him and make the best choices.  This morning, the other part of my prayer was answered, I was by his side when he took his last breath.  

It was Ed’s wish to be cremated and not to have a service but, in his words “a party would be nice”.  So on Sunday afternoon, March 9th, 2014 the family will be at Conner-Westbury Funeral Home in Griffin for visitation – from 3:00 to 5:00.  We will have a celebration of life at a later date. 

It was also Ed’s wish that memorials be used to fund an aviation scholarship.  If you would like to remember Ed with a gift that will allow an aspiring Aviator to realize their dreams, The “Ed Bowlin Memorial Aviation Scholarship Fund” has been established at United Bank, Griffin, GA.   (P.O. Box 628, Griffin, GA  30224)

With all my heart I thank each and every one of you for your friendship.  Our love for each other was Very Special and so are our friends.  

This was supposed to be short but I would like to close by quoting a   message that my sister sent.  “On this Valentine’s Day I wanted to tell you that you are loved immeasurably and to say that the measure of a life well lived is not only in the grace and fortitude with which one tackles the everyday living but the grace and fortitude with which one confronts the leaving.  You excel at a life full of grace ---- all kinds, and most assuredly measure up.”

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Obituary:

A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend Mr. Ed Miller Bowlin, age 79 of Cedar Ridge Airport community passed away peacefully on Friday, March 7, 2014 at his residence surrounded by his family. Ed was born in Lansing, Michigan on February 24, 1935. He is preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Wayne and Mary Christine Bowlin. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force having served in the Vietnam War. Ed joined the Tennessee Air National Guard at the age of 17 with aspirations of becoming a pilot. He attended Memphis State University and began Air Force Pilot Training in 1955, graduating in class 56H, returning to the Tennessee Air National Guard as part of the 155th Tac Recon Squadron. Mr. Bowlin retired as a Pilot from Delta Airlines after 34 years of service. He had served on several boards in the Aviation Industry and was a mentor and inspiration to many. Ed and his wife Connie were inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame in 2009. Survivors include his wife, Connie Jones Bowlin; son and daughter-in-law, Bret and Cindy Bowlin of Cumming; daughter, Toni Mason of Griffin; grandchildren, Trip Mason, Catherine Bowlin, Sam Bowlin; brother, Dan Bowlin of Memphis, TN; several nieces and nephews and countless friends. Visitation for Mr. Ed M. Bowlin will be on Sunday afternoon from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. A celebration of Life for Ed will be announced at a later date. It was also Ed’s wish that memorials be used to fund an aviation scholarship. If you would like to remember Ed with a gift that will allow an aspiring Aviator to realize their dreams, The “Ed Bowlin Memorial Aviation Scholarship Fund” has been established at United Bank, Griffin, GA. (P.O. Box 628, Griffin, GA 30224). Arrangements by: Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1891 W. McIntosh Rd 770-227-2300

  .Published in The Commercial Appeal on Mar. 8, 2014

- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/commercialappeal/obituary.aspx?n=ED-BOWLIN&pid=170055016#sthash.aTIBIryb.dpuf

 

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Subject: Ed and Connie Bowlin

 

Thank you to Ann Merrick for sending us the following video link about Connie and Ed Bowlin.  

Many of you may recall Connie started her career with Delta as a flight attendant and eventually became a Delta pilot.  Both Connie and Ed are retired Delta Captains. 

I thought our members would enjoy this very interesting video about Connie and Ed Bowlin ~ www.sleepingdogtv.com/reel/Aviations-First-Family.aspx 

Thank you. 

Ann

 

 

Ed and Connie Bowlin Inducted to Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame

Connie and Ed in 2009

 

February 15, 2009 - EAA Warbirds of America congratulates Ed and Connie Bowlin for their induction to the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame.  They joined three other inductees in a special ceremony at the Museum of Aviation, located at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia on Saturday evening, February 14.  Their flying careers crossed paths while working for Delta Air Lines - Ed as a pilot and Connie as a flight attendant.  Connie went on to obtain her private, multi, commercial, instrument, and ATP ratings and in March, 1978 and became the 4th female pilot hired by Delta - one of the first 50 women pilots hired by a major carrier.  At the time of their retirement, they had accumulated a total of 67 years of service with Delta Air Lines.