YARMOUTH — Glendon Fitts Bowden, 92, formerly of Hampden, died on his birthday, Jan. 4.

He was born Jan. 4, 1921, in Dexter, one of five children born to Carroll and Lena Bowden. Raised on the family farm in Stetson, he attended area schools and graduated from Maine School of Commerce, now Husson University.

After graduation, he taught commercial courses at Corinna Union Academy. Shortly after Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. For 3 1/2 years, he was a radio operator on a LST, seeing action in all the major battles of the South Pacific.

After he was discharged, Bowden returned to Maine and began a lifelong career in the trucking industry, first with Border Express and then with A.J. Cole and Sons.

On June 21, 1947, he married Verlie L. Walls and they made their home in Hampden and raised two children. He retired from A.J. Cole and Sons in 1990 after 31 years as president and CEO.

He focused his life on family and business. It is his love of family and his dedication to hard work that will be remembered by those who love him. It was only in retirement that he pursued his interest in harness racing, mostly in the Bangor area.

He was predeceased by his brother, George, and sisters Eileen and Agnes.

Bowden is survived by his wife of 65 years, Verlie of Yarmouth; a daughter, Glenda Jo Bowden of Belmont; a son, Chris Bowden and his wife, Ellen, of Cumberland; grandchildren Holly Jo Ward, Adam Bowden, Eric Bowden, Mandy Axelson and Samantha Bowden; great-grandchildren Abbie Jo Ward, Lars Axelson and Finley Bowden; sister, Dora Dubois; and many nieces and nephews.

There will be no services.

Donations in Bowden’s memory may be made to Tribute Program, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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