Merle Ray Bowen, 56, passed away June 10, 2026, doing what he loved, transporting.

Born to Mary Agnes Rinderle and Raymond Merle Bowen on April 11, 1970, in Grand Junction, Colorado. Merle lived his life loving his family, being in the pursuit of helping others, spreading laughter, enjoying nature, and taking naps.

He spent many years transporting goods in some of the largest trucks around the country and working for CDOT. Though his true passions were family, fishing, and hunting. Merle never missed an opportunity to teach someone about the outdoors and how to survive in them. Some of his happiest moments were teaching his children and grandchildren how to “put meat in the freezer and food in their bellies”.

Merle was known to many as a jack of all trades. He often got phone calls from any one of his children with car problems, questions on how to build something, what to feed certain animals, how to install something new, or what route was the best to take on a road trip (“turn the map over”).

His family was the driving force in all that Merle did; his family was his purpose. Merle was known and loved by many kids who grew up with his children, because his door was always open to them and he welcomed them into his family with open arms.

He met the love of his life, Jamie, in 2020 and they married on June 5, 2022. They celebrated six years together and enjoyed looking at wildlife and hunting spots, road trips, facetimes with their grandchildren, date nights, and lots of laughter. With Jamie, came the opportunity for Merle to be a father to her 3 children as well. He enjoyed teaching them all about the great outdoors, how to have the most fun in them, and how to be loved by a father with a heart as big as his.

Merle was always known for his humor and could erupt any room in laughter with a corny dad-joke or a funny story from the past. Stories were never in short supply when you were in his presence.

Those who knew Merle will remember his unwavering faith, love for the outdoors, his contagious smile, unique voice, his dedication to hard work, and the love he gave so freely.

Though he is no longer with us, Merle’s hopes, dreams, and legacy will live on through the lives that he touched.

May we always find joy, enjoy the outdoors, share the stories, and work the hardest, like Merle did.

He will be forever loved and never forgotten.

Preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Mary Bowen and many other close family members and friends.

Merle is survived by his wife: Jamie Bowen; Son: Colton Bowen (Jeanine); 2 Daughters: Desiree` Beaumier (Craig), Melissa Gilleland (Bryce); 3 bonus children; 2 daughters: Jacie Hill (Moroni); Jarika Elrod (Jaron), Son, Jamen Lewis; 6 grandchildren, Joshua Beaumier, Rossalee Beaumier, Hayden Beaumier, Sadie Gilleland, Miles Hill, and Indie Gilleland; 4 siblings; Sharon Todd (Rick), Annette Duncan (Dave), Duane Bowen (Darlene), Marshall Bowen (Stephanie), 4 nephews, 5 nieces, and his dog Sydney.