Obituary of Royce R. Bowling

Royce Ricky Bowling, 55, of Port Charlotte, Florida was born September 21, 1957 in Arcadia, FL. Rick was born to Jessie and Elmer Bowling, which have both preceded him in death. On October 5, 2012 at his residence in Port Charlotte, Rick passed away. Rick joined the United States Army in 1976 and served in Okinawa, Japan for part of his service career. In 1982, he was honorably discharged from the Army and from there he formed a career driving a semi-truck cross country. Driving truck was something Rick enjoyed doing. He also enjoyed spending his free time with his children and grandchildren, as he claimed they were the light of his life. Rick had a love for working on vehicles, which he shared with his son Michael. They had built a drag strip truck together, and you guessed it, they raced it too! Rick enjoyed traveling with his daughter Erica, and the last trip they made together was to......Mardi Gras 2012! Rick also loved to take his grandchildren fishing at any opportunity he could, and they all enjoyed it just the same. At family gatherings or just whenever the mood struck him, Rick also loved to play his guitar or teach someone to play. Rick is survived by his children, a son, Michael Jason Bowling (Amber), and a daughter, Erica Ann Campbell (Mike); his beloved ex-wife, Elizabeth Bowling; plenty of grandchildren; Michael Forest, Lakyn Syerra, Noel Hope, Skylar Jade-Elizabeth, Cameron Tyler, Blake Scott, Jason Lee, and Anngilina Mae. Rick is also survived by his brother, Lonnie Ray Bowling (Letha) of Lakeland; his sisters, Mearilyn King (Charles) of Georgia, Dorothy Welch (Charlie) of Arcadia, FL, and Deborah Osborne of North Fort Myers, FL. Rick is also survived by a plenty of nieces and nephews scattered all over, that he loved dearly. Rick was preceded in death by his mother and father, as well as his brothers, Joe, Ed, Lebron, Fletcher, and Durrah. Rick's Memorial service will be held at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 2300 Luther Road in Port Charlotte, FL 33983 on Monday, October 15th at 4:00PM in the afternoon with Pastor Kenneth Redmann officiating. Please visit Rick's tribute wall at www.schelmfh.com to share memories and to send condolences to the Bowling family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family to help cover funeral expenses, or to the church in Rick's name. Arrangements by Paul Schelm Funeral Home, 12687 SW County Road 769 (Kings Highway) in Lake Suzy. Phone (941) 625-3535.