Gary Steven Bowden, 70, of Hart, passed away Thursday, August 6, 2026. He was born March 28, 1056, in Shelby, the son of Charles and Irma (Staples) Bowden. The third child after brothers Robert and Wayne; but before Terry, Lori and Lisa.

When Gary was 10 years old, his mother started taking guitar lessons, she was left-handed. Well, the temptation was too much, even though the guitar was strung for a left-handed person, Gary and his siblings tried their best to play it, left-handed or right-handed which is upside down and backwards. Wayne was left-handed, so he didn’t find it as challenging. It wasn’t long before Charles decided to buy more instruments and thus, the Country Kids were born! Gary playing and singing on the guitar, Terry picking lead on his mandolin, with his dad playing songs on his harmonica to teach Terry the songs. Lori played the guitar and mandolin, and Lisa played the Ukulele. Lori and Lisa singing songs together, we had the blessing of a friend, Frank Gibson, who could play any instrument you handed him. Frank helped teach us cords and picking lead. It was magic! Gary loved playing his guitar and singing, which he did for the rest of his life, entertaining everybody. As kids we played music by the campfire at night, with the whippoorwill coming to sit on a nearby stump and singing along with our music. Whipping faster when we played a faster song. Gary would sing songs, some of which he wrote.

Gary was afflicted with cerebral palsy, so in his later years he was unable to walk, but he made up for it with the use of his hands. He learned to knit, refinish furniture, and whatever else he put his mind to. As a kid he had a nickname, given by his boss, Lester. When Lester asked how many fish he caught that day, Gary would say none. So, Lester nicknamed him “Zero”. His brother, Terry “One a day”, so therefore One a day and Zero were born! We will miss Gary; he was such a special person! He was a diehard Tigers and Lions Fan!

Gary is survived by: his brother, Terry (Colleen Shineldecker) Bowden; their child, Charles (Stacie Schultz), and their children, Olivia and Isabella; sister, Lori (Steve) Davis, their children, first son Anthony (Lisa Tiles), their children, James and Lauren, and their second son Orrin (Jackie Windell); sister, Lisa (Devary Alvesteffer), and her daughter Lena Alvasteffer Jensen.

Gary was preceded in death by: his parents, Charles and Irma; brothers, Robert and Wayne; niece Constance Marie Davis.

The family will hold a memorial at a later date.

Harris Funeral Home, is assisting with arrangements.

www.harrisfhome.com