Did you know that the Bowlings live in the house where Jean grew up in Shenandoah Valley?  Well, they do.  They bought the fifty-acre family homestead back in 1985 and moved in 1992.  John claims to be a gentleman farmer, tending five acres of walnuts and seven of grapes (two of those seven are valuable old-vine Zin), but doubts have been cast on his claims of exotic new vine plantings and ambitious house remodelings.

In his defense, it must be noted that he has been providing free wine at monthly Council dinners and potlucks for the past five years—a tribute to his farming and business skills as well as to his generosity!  Jean has been cooking and cleaning for John and herself all this time.  She is awaiting real retirement.

Were you aware that John was trained as a bombardier in the Air Force in the early 50’s and flew in the first intercontinental bomber, the B-36, for three years?  It’s true.  Jean had moved to Sacramento about the time John joined the military, and they met when he was training at Mather Airbase.

They’ve been married for 52 years and have five children: Lynne, Michael, Christopher, Laurie, and Daniel.  John says, “They’re all doing well,” and in these troubled times for young people, their children’s success and stability is both blessing and consolation for John and Jean.

John has been Financial Secretary of our Council for just over ten years.  There are reasons for this.  First, nobody else wanted the job.  Then there’s a possibly significant professional connection: John had a brilliant career in Bay Area business and finance spanning three decades.  We’ll just mention that he started with graduation from Santa Clara University in 1961, and ended as Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Pleasanton with responsibility for construction and administration of hundreds of housing units.  He is apparently qualified to be our K of C CFO.

The Bowlings are active members of St. Mary of the Mountains Church in Plymouth.  They’ve been Eucharistic Ministers to the homebound for 15 years, and served with both St. Vincent de Paul Society and RCIA at Immaculate Conception Parish. They helped at the Preston Prayer Meetings for two years.  Jean has cleaned and ironed altar linens and provided flowers at St. Mary of the Mountains Church forever.  They are also members of the Friends of the County Library and the Shenandoah Valley Community Club.

Besides all these fine accomplishments, John and Jean are credentialed Really Nice People!

Get to know them when you have the chance.  You won’t regret it.       

P.S. John was awarded State Emeritus Soccer Referee after 17 years of refereeing
                no kidding.