Hayden "Tag" Bowers

January 19, 1929 - December 21, 2020

MOCKSVILLE – Mr. Hayden “Tag” Bowers, 91, of McClamrock Road, Davie County, passed Monday, December 21, 2020, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. The family is grateful to all of his caregivers. On January 19, 1929, Mr. Bowers was the third child born to his late, loving parents Overt Winfield and Alice Turrentine Bowers of Cooleemee. Mr. Bowers enjoyed recalling the childhood adventures he shared with his 4 brothers and 5 sisters. The young Mr. Bowers quickly earned his life-long nickname, “Tag,” by tagging-along behind his beloved, big brother Vernon. As did Mr. Bowers’ father, his brothers and a grandson among other family members, Tag served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Mr. Bowers was decorated for his service. Later in life, Tag proudly sported his Army Air Corps ball caps, and appreciated hearing each and every “Thank you for your service, Sir.” Tag often shared stories about Ft. Bragg, Pope AFB, Chanute AFB and Elmendorf AFB. He enjoyed spending time with his VFW friends and going to air shows. Mr. Bowers faithfully attended local Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies. Tag frequented the N.C. Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in order to honor his younger brother, Eddie. In addition to his active military service from 1946-1949, Mr. Bowers continued serving our nation and his fellow veterans for more than 30 years as a nursing assistant at the W.G. Hefner Veterans Hospital in Salisbury. Tag’s dedicated efforts at the V.A. earned a number of awards, distinctions and recognitions before he semi-retired in 1989. Tag-along; Brother Tag; Uncle Tag; Corporal; Fly Boy; WA4CXZ; McLean trucker; Scoutmaster; Oak Grove fisherman; soda fountain sommelier; occasional hunter; infrequent golfer; part-time assistant baseball coach; semi-professional dog-walker; enthusiastic lawnmower operator; K4TAG; aspiring Charleston tourist; and avid golf cart chauffeur. Mr. Bowers enjoyed his many opportunities to make friends, not only on McClamrock Road, in Oak Grove and throughout North Carolina, but also world-wide through his long-time avocation--amateur radio. Having talked with fellow “hams” in nearly, if not, all countries and continents, Tag’s friendly calls of “CQDX” reached the ears of countless many. Before modern telephone communications became available, Tag took joy in connecting “phone patches” so that missionaries and others working abroad could talk with their loved ones in and around his native Davie County. Long before Facebook, Tag was liked and followed by good friends on his local net and far beyond. In addition to his parents, Mr. Bowers was preceded in death by his older brother, Vernon Edward Bowers, his younger sister Mary Alice Bowers Bailey and his younger brothers Charles Herbert Bowers and Edgar Lee Bowers, who gave his life in service of our country. Tag was blessed with a lengthy and full life. In addition to 5 siblings and a host of nieces, nephews and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Mr. Bowers’ survivors include his sweet, loving wife of 66 years, Jane McClamrock Bowers; his children Deborah Garrett (Steve), Hayden “Butch” Bowers, Rex Bowers (Karen), and Bobby Bowers (Sandy); his grandchildren LTC Thomas Kochenauer and Sean Brown (Chanel); and 5 great-grandchildren, Thomas, Jr., Jakob, Matthew, Connor and Hayden. Tag and Jane cherished worshiping the Lord with their many friends at Hope Baptist, Oak Grove and First Baptist among other congregations. Chris Cantrell, their pastor at Hope Baptist, officiated a graveside service, with military honors, at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, December 26, in Oak Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family deeply appreciates the outpouring of love, support and care that they continue to receive. The family requests that memorials be considered for A Storehouse for Jesus, 675 East Lexington Road, Mocksville, NC 27028 or another charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made at www.eatonfuneralservice.com.