Richard K. "Ink" Bowling Sr.

RICHARD KILE BOWLING SR. "INK" Graveside services for lifelong area resident Richard K. "Ink" Bowling Sr. will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, August 26 at Arriola Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75. Ink was born in Mancos, Colo. on April 28th 1926 to Lawson Day Bowling and Ethel Marie (Heath) Bowling. He passed away at his residence on August 21, 2013. Ink attended school in Mancos. He left school in the 11th grade and joined the Army to serve with the 45th infantry division. He is a WWII veteran. Ink returned to Mancos after serving his country. He then worked in the family coal mine, and began a career driving log trucks until 1952 when he moved to Cortez. Ink then entered the trucking business of hauling uranium. After a period of time driving other owner's equipment, he purchased his own equipment and entered into the trucking business for himself. Over the years Ink and his drivers hauled uranium, produce, liquid CO2, dry ice and other commodities. He took great pride in his trucks and insisted that his drivers do the same. Ink operated this business for 25+ years at which time he sold out and attempted to semi-retire. He could not stay away from the trucking business so he maintained his CDL and drove belly-dumps for Bridgewater Trucking, until the age of 75. During this time Ink married Donna and they co-owned/operated the Ute Coffee Shop and the Arriola store. They have sold the feed store but continued to own/operate the Ute Coffee Shop. Ink married Donna (Sharp) Bowling on November 20th 1967 and together they raised seven children. Many happy memories were made in the family home. Ink lived an active life until his illness and passing, he was a great Bronco's fan, especially happy with the John Elway years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawson Day Bowling and Ethel Marie (Heath) Bowling; his siblings, Troy Bowling, Inez Halls, Dorothy Lee; and by five grandchildren. Ink is survived by his wife of 45 years, Donna Bowling; his stepdaughter Mary Lou Pyle; his children, Clyde (Donella) Willis, Don (Lula) Willis, Ray (Kellie) Willis, Bonnie (Kelly) Ellis, Richard Kile Bowling Jr., Troylene (Robert) Torres, Roicann (Clifford) Mott; 20 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family expresses their greatest love and appreciation for the kindness and visits extended by Dad's many friends and family the last few months of his life and before. We are so grateful for Montezuma County Hospice and all that they did to support and comfort Dad, Mom and the family these last few months.