
Ralph “Luck” Bowden, age 78, of Cedar Springs passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 12, 2024. Ralph proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, including a tour of duty in Vietnam during the Vietnam conflict. He loved being outdoors and enjoyed working as a part of the grounds crew at the Kent County airport. He also loved bowling, golfing, fishing, deer hunting, and working on old cars. Ralph will be remembered for his great sense of humor and his fun, out-going personality that made him a great friend and neighbor, especially with the neighborhood children. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Betty; sisters, Avice Heckman, Gail Lacy; brother, Tim Bowden. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 47 years, Sherri; granddaughter, Caitlin Monden; great granddaughter, Layla Stratz; special family, Bill and Lorri Hamilton; mother-in-law, Maxine Schaaf; Chris Bowden; and several nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at 12 p.m. Friday, November 8, 2024 at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood, with Pastor Ben Puckett officiating. Burial will be held at Pine Hill Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Friday from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Children of Fallen Patriots.