Sharon Louise (Bowser) King

Sharon Louise (Bowser) King passed away peacefully at home on February 18, 2025 at the age of 81.  She was surrounded by her loving family. Her enduring faith and strength in the face of adversity is a powerful message to those who knew and loved her.

A Celebration of Life will be Monday, April 7, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Harmony United Methodist Church in Coos Bay, Oregon. A light reception will follow The family is grateful to have Pastor Don Ford officiating the service. Sharon would want everyone to “come as you are”.  Mom wore her Tevas Sandals everywhere and would hope that all the folks attending be comfortable.

Sharon was born in Dayton, Ohio on May 28, 1943 to Ralph Robert Bowser and Dorothy Lucille Bowser. She was the third of five children.

Sharon was spotted by Doug, her lifelong partner in love and in business, in Drexel, Ohio, while she was playing an “unsafe” yard game, “the splits”. Years later they reconnected at a Boy Scout meeting where her father was the Scout Leader. Later, Doug served in the Army and Sharon would write letters to him. When Doug proposed marriage, they were wed with the blessings of her parents, about a month later on Aug 21, 1960. After marriage came the beginning of their greatest adventure together, life. They moved to Oregon where they successfully raised three children- Pamela King, Barbara King and Douglas King Jr (Shari). Sharon instantly fell in love with the Ocean Coast. Looking at it, photographing it, listening to it, visiting it, planning many trips with family and friends in Florence, Oregon particularly.

Sharon was a deeply spiritual Christian woman.  She studied the Bible and sought meaning in the mysteries.  She was (is!) a prayer warrior and sought to comfort those around her.  She taught Bible School, VBS and adult studies. She often sang in the church choir.   She was active in the Emmaus community.  Most of all, she taught and served with joy and grace and compassion.  It's often said "God has a sense of humor".  Sharon, Mom, Gram was living proof.

Sharon was a woman of many talents.  She took business courses in high school and was working in a bank by her junior year. She did woodcraft and wired her handcrafted lamp.  After she moved to Oregon she was in several leagues (including The Four Sharons).  We know she bowled a 234 and a 572 series.  She was active in the Jaycee's and Jaycee-ettes and was awarded a life membership.  She had a rare blood type and over the course of her giving she donated over ten gallons of blood.  Sharon also worked for most of her adult life.  She was a front desk auditor, a post master an accountant and office manager.  Her longest lasting job was with Bohemia, Inc.  She started as secretary and as people left she took over their jobs and still did her own.  When her time wasn't rewarded she applied for and got a job across the parking lot in the truck shop. She was ahead of her time.  Also she could drive anything on four (or eighteen!) wheels.  Go Mom!

Sharon also enjoyed offering her time preparing food and serving at the local food outreach programs.  She was active at the "Saturday Meal Ministry" and Thanksgiving Dinner. But always her best love was for Doug and her family.  She and Doug worked hard to be able to retire in their early fifties to enjoy their time with each other, to travel and family. She enjoyed playing nickels and other games. She had many groups of friends and family she played with even weekly. She loved to host and be hosted!  She was friendly and nurturing and would talk to just about anybody.

Sharon and Doug's legacy is long and far-reaching. In addition to beloved three children, she loved her three grandchildren- Tyler King (Christine), Tonya Witham (Eric) and Leo Giesbers in addition to a legion of bonus grandchildren. She was blessed to see many great and even great-great grandchildren born. Sharon is also survived by sisters Becky Bagwell of Florida and Sandy Huffman of Colorado, and a multitude of nieces and nephews and chosen family near and far.

She was preceded in passing by the love of her life, Doug. Also, her parents, her brother Ralph Robert (Bobby) Jr. and sister Beverly. 

In lieu of flowers, please serve in memory of Sharon, by donating your time or resources to The Snack Pack ministry at Harmony UMC or serve in a soup kitchen as Sharon would have done. 

The family wishes to extend Thanks to the Bay Area Hospital staff for their dedicated care to our family. Luke (We do it our way), Aaliyah (Back in a jiffy) and Elliot. Elliot dropped to his knees out of genuine concern with evident compassion gaining direct eye contact with Gram on the 1-year anniversary of her husband's passing. He was there to listen and care for her anyway he could. Kayla and Kristina (Grown men aren't as tough as you- We know that :)) Brad, Katie, Carissa, and Savannah at Pacific Home Health & Hospice. Your care and compassion were invaluable to Gram in her final days on earth.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Riverview Abbey in Portland, OR. When Sharon realized she was ill, she insisted on setting up her own prearrangements with her granddaughter ahead of time. Just another selfless act to ease the burden for her family at the time.  She was a strong woman who lived an amazing life and will be missed on earth by all who knew and loved her. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sharon Louise (Bowser) King, please visit our floral store.