Michael Wayne Bowlin

Michael Wayne Bowlin of Winters, CA, is now resting in eternal peace, joining his parents, Jeanne Lassus Marden of Napa, CA, and David Q. Bowlin of Van Buren, AR, and his grandparents Philip W. and Esther Z. Cornelius of Napa, CA. 
 
Mick was born at Hamilton AFB, CA, and moved several times before settling in Napa, where he graduated from Napa High School with the Class of 1971. He enlisted as a Radioman in the Navy in 1972 to “see the world”. After spending over four years at Naval Air Station Lemoore in central California, he decided he needed a change. The Army offered him the opportunity to travel so he spent the next few years as a transportation specialist in Europe, completing almost 10 years of honorable service to our Country as a Sergeant. 
 
Upon returning to California, Mick worked as a nuclear electrician on submarines at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo; an electrician for large HVAC units and commercial generators at Sierra company; as a refinery electrician at the Tosco Petroleum company; but finally got his forever job as a maritime electrician with the California State University Maritime Academy, where he worked for 18 years.  After retirement he continued to help out on the Bear as needed.  He finished his career as Chief Electrician for the TS Golden Bear Maritime training ship. He was able to fulfill his lifelong dream of transiting the Panama Canal and circling the globe multiple times. He was so proud of his ship and loved to give tours to everyone who came on board.  
 
Ever the master mechanic, Mick’s hobbies included cars; driving them, working on them or restoring them. His greatest passion was for Volkswagens, vans and beetles alike, and he spent 20 great years restoring a 1976 Gold Bug for his beloved wife, Lorraine. Together, they spent many hours going to VW shows and Mick and grandson Nathan loved cruising with the VW Club, where Mick served as Social/Meet-up coordinator for many years.  Mick was very active in both the North Bay Air Cooled club out of Napa and the  Solano VW Club.  
 
Mick was always willing to lend a hand and had a sweet soul, a truly nice guy. Always at his happiest when helping others or fixing something.  He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Lorraine of Winters, CA; step-daughter Haley (Dennis) Burdick and their son Nathan of Napa, Ca; step-son Nik Wood of Davis, CA, brothers Mark (Anne) Marden of Napa, Gary Bowlin of Phoenix; and sisters Cherie (James) Collins of Coronado, CA, and Kathleen Cooney of Napa. 

Mick’s services, through Smith Funeral Home, take place at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon CA on January 2, 2024 at 10:00 am.   Military Funeral Honors include Taps, a rifle volley salute and flag presentation to honor Mick’s service to our country.