Obituary of Lawrence Wayne Bowles

Lawrence Wayne Bowles, “Monk”

7/10/36 to 5/23/2023

"Monk" Bowles of Bedford, Virginia passed away May 23, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, Veda Conner Bowles and Thomas Fitzhugh Bowles, of Roanoke, Virginia and his son-in-law, Bernard Gauci of Malta. He is survived by his two daughters, Susan Michele Gauci of South Orange, New Jersey and Rhonda Gardner of Bedford, and two grandchildren, Joseph Lawrence Gardner of Duck, North Carolina, and Margaret Anne Fitzhugh “ Molly” Gardner of Loudoun, Virginia.

Monk was a devoted son to his parents and his aunt as they grew older and needed care, especially his mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s. His love and loyalty to his daughters and grandchildren will always be remembered by family and friends. He never missed a ball game, recital, or event in their lives, and his sense of humor and laugh were required at every holiday and birthday celebration. Most missed will be the beautiful prayers of thanks he gave to honor the Lord and to show thanks for all of life’s blessings. He attended Peaks View Christian Church in Bedford for several years.

Monk grew up in Roanoke, Virginia and attended Jefferson High School. He served in the United States Marine Corps and the Army after high school, receiving honorable discharges from both institutions. In the Army, he studied highway engineering, which led him to work for the Virginia Department of Transportation. In 1991, he retired from VDOT and worked for Anderson & Associates architectural and engineering services out of Blacksburg. His favorite pastimes were fishing, video games, board games, math puzzles and working in his workshop. He enjoyed most of these right up until his death.

The family would like to thank friends for all of the kind words and memories shared during this time and would also like to thank Pearson’s Regional Cancer Center staff for the wonderful care he received during his time there. Their decisiveness and compassion brought him a great amount of comfort and extra time with his family.

A graveside service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at Greenwood Cemetery with Pastor Ricky St.Clair officiating.  The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.