Obituary of John Horton Bower

John Horton Bower, May 25, 1953-October 15, 2022. John was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Betty Barnes Bower (1927-2010) and David M. Bower (1927-1999). He was the fourth of six kids: Betty Lee Bower (1950-2014), David M. Bower III, Kathy Barnes Bower (1952-1969), Marguerite Bower Moltz (Ray Moltz), and Virginia Lynn Bower. He grew up with and married his childhood sweetheart Laura M. Bower. He had two children from a previous marriage, John H. Bower (Johnny) of Oak Island (Amy Bower) and Addie B. McClain of Bend, Oregon (Luke McClain). He was proud grandpa to Tilley Addie Bower (13) and Jackson McClain (6). He leaves behind, as well, many loving cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends. John was, above all else, a master builder and true craftsman, having built—and single-handedly—a Montana lodge that included a main house and five cabins plus a beautiful barn (and other buildings). If it were to be built, he could build it! He also crafted birdhouses, jewelry, corn straw brooms, and furniture. Thing was, he was totally self-taught in all of this, never having had any sort of teacher or mentor along the way. How does a person do this?! He lived several times in Montana, a state he loved, when he was not living in Western NC. John was one of the funniest people alive, able to make people laugh until they cried. Cry is what we're all doing now, his family, friends, and pets, in his absence. We wish him a kind and light-filled journey as he leaves us here and heads into the great unknown. To quote his favorite book, The Tao of Pooh, "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." Another quote that carries particular poignance now is, "Where there is the sense of loss, there is an even greater presence of love." We love you, John, and miss you dearly. Online condolences may be shared at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Bower family.