James “Bj” Bowman Jr.

James Edward Bowman Jr., was born September 11, 1986 and was affectionately known by family and friends as BJ. BJ excelled in music at an early age. He enjoyed freestyling and battle rapping. In BJ’s earlier years he was very involved in community service, participating in programs such as City Year Young Heroes and Youth to Youth.

BJ was a longtime resident of the southside of Columbus and alumnus of Columbus City Schools. He attended Berwick Elementary, Eastmoor Middle, and graduated from Independence High School in 2004. BJ attended Central State University. After college BJ worked as a warehouse operations manager for OxyWater. BJ had a very entrepreneurial spirit. In other words, “He could sell water to a well”.

BJ inherited his father’s passion for vintage cars, especially his 1970’s Buick LeSabre known as the “Green Machine”. But above all things, BJ had a close relationship with Yahweh, family, and friends including Bentley, his four-legged Yorkie-Poodle. BJ found Christ at the age of 8. His spiritual journey began at Consolidated Baptist Church, now known as New Generation.

On Sunday, June 21, 2020, BJ suffered heart complications and was unexpectedly called home. There to greet him were his parents, James “Jimmy” Edward Sr., and Lisa Ann Bowman; grandparents, Henry Johnson, Leila Wooden, and George Edward Smith; aunts Debra Bowman and Althea Marie Richardson; and uncles Robert Bowman and Nathanial Johnson.

Left on earth to carry forth his memory is sister Jalisa “Starr” Bowman; nephew, Logan James Hunter; maternal grandmother, Helen Johnson; paternal aunts and uncles Linda (Horace) Cockrell and Billy (Kim) Bowman; maternal uncles and aunt, Kenneth Johnson, Walt Richardson, and Theresa Johnson; special cousins on both sides, Angel Johnson, Tameka Johnson, John Thurman, Johnna Thurman, Chanel Thomas, Stanley Cockrell Jr., Jessica Cockrell, Billy Bowman, and generation next-in-line cousins, Aneese Johnson, Malik Johnson, and young Royale and Riley Lyles; longtime and special friends, Evan Clark, Jason Wallace, and Corey Johnson as well as Stewart and Oakwood neighborhood friends, other relatives, and acquaintances.

Private service Visitation 9:00 AM and Funeral Service 10:00 AM Friday, July 3, 2020 at MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave.

A mask is mandatory.

Interment at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.