Charles Bowling II, 63, of Lincoln, went to his heavenly home on January 15, 2018. Born to Bernice and Charles Bowling on May 29, 1954, at Gary Air Force Base in San Marcos, Texas.
Charles attended: Clara McPhee Elementary, Everett Junior High, Lincoln High School and graduated from the University of Nebraska Lincoln, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education, with a specialty in music. During Charles’ formative years, he had a love for music and dance. In his early teens, he directed the youth choir for Christ Temple Mission Church. In his professional career, he taught music, voice, and the history of music at Goddard elementary, Robin Mickel Junior High, and Lincoln Northeast High School. His choirs performed and competed around the country, taking first place honors in many competitions. His Lincoln Northeast choir “Voices in Harmony,” was the first high school choir from Nebraska to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York.
He was a gifted maestro playing many instruments and empowering his students and many other people through music and life lessons. He performed in Lincoln community theatre and musicals, and, for several years, he directed the choir at Lincoln City Church. It was said by many that “he could make a rock sing.” Charles was inspirational and could light up a room with his presence, words, sense of humor and style. He won numerous awards for his leadership and music. He was a great orator, and developed and participated in many programs in the Lincoln community dealing with the Civil Rights movements. He believed in equality and equity for all. He had a gentle sincerity that made those around him feel loved and special. He would use truism for wisdom by saying such things as “help me to understand what you are saying” “I need a hero today”, and other messages. He loved: God with his whole heart, his sons, singing with his family, cooking, attending family functions, attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, watching the news, reading his Bible and other spiritual books and materials. He loved being called PaPe by his grandchildren and lovingly referred to his mother as “Mumsie.” He had a very positive impact on the lives of each of his family members and on everyone with whom he came in contact.
He is preceded in death by his dads, Obasi Onuoha and Charles Bowling; Grandmother Annie V. Jones; Aunt Rachel Woolridge; Uncle Rayford Jones; and nephews, Joshua Church and Bryan Oekel. Charles will always be remembered by his sons, Jonathan (Kayti) Bowling and Dr. Jordan Bowling, and the mother of his children, Karen Taylor Bowling, Mother, Bernice; Siblings: Alice Bowling Wirth (Michael Wirth), Bernice (Sue) Bowling Hill (Sonny Hill), Pamela Bowling Church (Merle Church), Pateath Bowling Herndon (Paul Herndon), Angelia Onuoha, Obasi John Onuoha, Oneike (Niki) Onuoha Jarzynka(Daniel Jarzynka), Natalie Wittman Onuoha. Grandchildren: Mia, Zoey, Walker, and Tatum Bowling, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, family members and friends.
Charles’ family wishes to thank family & friends for their prayers, visits, food and all who shared in their love for Charles.
Funeral: 10:00 am. Saturday, January 20, Lincoln City Church, 5001 South 1st Street. Rev. Solo officiating. Burial: Wyuka Cemetery.
Memorials to the family c/o Roper and Sons for future designation related to music.
Visitation: 6-8 pm Friday, 1/19, Roper & Sons South Lincoln Chapel, 3950 Hohensee Drive (40th and Yankee Hill Rd), with personal tributes and music at 7:00 p.m.