Jesse Gray Bowen's Obituary
Jesse Gray Bowen III, 76, of Dallas, Texas, passed away on April 29, 2026. Born in
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on July 1, 1949, to Jesse Gray Bowen II and Marian
Bowen, Gray lived a life defined by resilience, melody, and a legendary sense of humor.
Gray was the devoted husband of Renee for 35 years. A pillar of strength and guidance, he was a proud father to Mandy (mother of Jessica and Andrew) and Kristina (mother of Sara, Gant, and Phelan). He was a beloved brother to Doug and Mary and would want you to know that he was the older of the twins and also taller. Gray was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy.
A 1971 graduate of Milligan University, Gray later attended the United Electronics
Institute in Louisville, Kentucky. It was there he met his best friend, Bill Metropol, who eventually convinced him to move to Dallas. Gray came to Dallas to begin his career at Texas Instruments as a software engineer and technical writer but stayed when he met his baby cakes Renee. He retired in 2019.
Gray’s passions were as eclectic as they were vibrant. An accomplished organist and
member of the Highlands Handbell Choir, he also spent his life as an athlete and an avid collector of sports memorabilia. In retirement, he perfected his culinary skills, enjoyed bowling, and could often be found late at night catching the final plays of a game.
Despite a spinal injury that necessitated the use of a wheelchair, Gray’s spirit remained
unyielding. He was known for finding the silver lining in every shadow and using his
quick wit to lift the hearts of everyone he met. A dedicated member of Highlands Christian Church, he served faithfully as both a Deacon and an Elder.
A service celebrating Gray’s life will be held on Friday, May 8, at 11:00 AM at Highlands
Christian Church, 9949 McCree Rd., Dallas, TX 75238. A luncheon and reception will
follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider planting a memorial tree in Gray’s honor—a lasting tribute to a man who spent his life encouraging others to grow. https://www.restlandfuneralhome.com/store/plants/memorial-trees
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