Ray Edwin Bowers, 96, of Palacios passed away September 26, 2026. He was born February 23, 1930 in Mont Belvieu, Texas to the late Ray C. Bowers and Helen Bonneau Bowers.

After Edwin moved to Palacios he began a long farming career. He and Mitzi farmed mostly in the Collegeport area for many years. Edwin later became involved in many different occupations including banking, catfish farming, horse racing, and the medical supply industry. While venturing out in these various areas he continued farming and ranching.

Having been part of a large family, Edwin maintained a close relationship with his siblings and loved being around his grandchildren and great grandchildren. It was always fun to go to a party when “Papa” was going to be there. His family meant the world to him. He always enjoyed being around his friends and business associates enjoying the best of life. From going to ball games of his nieces and nephews to watching a good western at home.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mittis Evelyn Clardy Bowers; infant son Neil Edwin Bowers; sisters Katherine Dannels, Blanche Pajestka and Marie “Sister Denise” Bowers and daughter-in-law Lee Ann Bowers.

Survivors include daughters Janet Bowers Martin (Jay) and Merrianne Bowers Pringle (Steve); son Dennis Bowers; sisters Gladys Martin and Shirley Chilek; brothers Charles Bowers, Hubert Bowers, Harold Bowers, Ralph Bowers, Arthur Bowers, Walter Bowers and Wayne Bowers; grandchildren Justin Bowers, Kristen Christopher, Stacy Greenawalt, Shannon Ellington, Christopher Pringle and Kevin Pringle; 11 great grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and other extended family and friends.

Visitation will begin at 2:00 PM Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at the Palacios Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 3:00 PM with Rev. Louis Rush officiating. Interment will follow at the Palacios Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Christopher Pringle, Kevin Pringle, J. D. Greenawalt, Justin Bowers, Nick Christopher and Aaron Ellington. Reed Bowers will serve as honorary pallbearer.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations may be made in his memory to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Children’s Hospital.