Ralph C. Bowland, 91, of Modesto, passed away July 13. He was born in Fair Grove, Mo., and after graduating from high school in 1936, his family moved to Turlock. He played in the minor leagues for the Chicago Cubs in 1940 and 1941.
Ralph married Doretta Herring on Jan. 10, 1942, the same month he was drafted into the U.S. Army. During the war he was a First Sergeant with the 1st Ranger Battalion, under General Clark while serving in Italy. He also served under General Patton in North Africa. His service included tours in the European, African, and Middle Eastern theaters, in which he was awarded five battle ribbons.
Upon his honorable discharge in 1945, he returned to his family in Turlock, and shortly after they moved to Modesto where Ralph went to work as a manager for Valley Motor Lines. Valley became Consolidated Copperstate and in 1957 the family relocated to Los Angeles where Ralph worked until returning to Modesto in 1963. He was involved in the start-up of Fairbanks Trucking for Gallo. Ralph returned to Los Angeles to work for CA Motor Express (CME) until his retirement. He also served on the boards of CME and Delta CA Industries.
He is survived by his children, Pamela (Tom) Blake, Michael (Joy) Bowland, and Donald (Jane) Bowland; brother, Herman Bowland; four grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.
Ralph and Doretta celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary before she passed away in 1993. He was also preceded in death by three sisters and three brothers.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 31 at Turlock Funeral Home. Interment will take place at Turlock Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356.
Services are under the direction of Turlock Memorial Park & Funeral Home. Friends may share their condolences to the family at www.turlockmemorialpark.com.
Ralph married Doretta Herring on Jan. 10, 1942, the same month he was drafted into the U.S. Army. During the war he was a First Sergeant with the 1st Ranger Battalion, under General Clark while serving in Italy. He also served under General Patton in North Africa. His service included tours in the European, African, and Middle Eastern theaters, in which he was awarded five battle ribbons.
Upon his honorable discharge in 1945, he returned to his family in Turlock, and shortly after they moved to Modesto where Ralph went to work as a manager for Valley Motor Lines. Valley became Consolidated Copperstate and in 1957 the family relocated to Los Angeles where Ralph worked until returning to Modesto in 1963. He was involved in the start-up of Fairbanks Trucking for Gallo. Ralph returned to Los Angeles to work for CA Motor Express (CME) until his retirement. He also served on the boards of CME and Delta CA Industries.
He is survived by his children, Pamela (Tom) Blake, Michael (Joy) Bowland, and Donald (Jane) Bowland; brother, Herman Bowland; four grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.
Ralph and Doretta celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary before she passed away in 1993. He was also preceded in death by three sisters and three brothers.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 31 at Turlock Funeral Home. Interment will take place at Turlock Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356.
Services are under the direction of Turlock Memorial Park & Funeral Home. Friends may share their condolences to the family at www.turlockmemorialpark.com.
