Donald James Bowe, 76, of St. Louis, Missouri, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2026.
“Where it began…”
Don was born on October 9, 1949, to Rosemary (Maschek) Bowe and Thomas Bowe. He grew up in a loving home in the shadow of Sportsman’s Park, surrounded by extended family and sharing a close bond with his aunts, uncles, and cousins. His childhood was filled with baseball and time spent playing in the neighborhood with his friends. He often spoke of playing in the alley and pausing to stand at attention whenever the National Anthem played before Cardinals games across the street.
Don was a proud graduate of St. Augustine Grade School and McBride High School. He attended UMSL, where he admitted that his favorite class was “Donuts 101” with his friends.
Early in his career, Don worked for Edison Brothers, where he worked his way up from the warehouse to traveling the world as a handbag buyer. This career helped shape his love for fashion. Although he later moved on to the United States Postal Service and retired from there, anyone who saw his closets or shoe collection knew that his love for fashion never left him.
Outside of work, Don found great joy in sports and the friendships he built along the way. He spent much of his adult life refereeing and umpiring, particularly in soccer and basketball. His officiating took him all over the St. Louis area, where he made many lasting friendships.
He was one of the founding members of the Dennis Mignerone Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament at St. Simon the Apostle. His love of a good time was passed on to the participants and spectators as he created elaborate pre-game ceremonies that included lights, smoke machines, and dramatic introductions.
His commitment to the community was recognized in 2008 when he received the South County CYC District Person of the Year Award. In 2016, he was honored with the CYC Soccer Service Award for his service to the sport of soccer and the young people of the CYC program.
Don was a proud member of the Oakville Elks Club and loved being around people. He was truly the life of the party and never passed up an opportunity to entertain a crowd. If there was a microphone and an audience, everyone could count on Don to break into his signature rendition of “Sweet Caroline.”
After retirement, Don enjoyed driving around the city he loved. Two of his favorite places to visit were Forest Park and his old neighborhood, where he could revisit familiar streets and the memories of a lifetime.
Above all, Don treasured his family and friends, especially his role as a father and grandfather. He was immensely proud of his three children and took great joy in being Grandpa to his seven grandchildren, who lovingly called him “Papa” and “Bobby Bowe.” Don had a special way of making the people he loved feel remembered and celebrated. He was diligent about wishing everyone a happy birthday, often FaceTiming friends and family just to sing “Happy Birthday.” And he made sure his kids and grandkids had the biggest balloon he could find to accompany the song. These simple traditions were a reflection of Don’s generous spirit and the joy he found in making others feel special.
He is survived by his three children and their families: his son, Greg Bowe, his wife, Sarah, and their sons, Gavin and Kellan; his daughter, Tina (Bowe) Miller, her husband, Jay, and their daughters, Avery and Elliot; and his son, Tim Bowe, his wife, Alyssa, and their sons, Brayden, Ari, and Evan. He is also survived by many cousins and dear friends.
Don was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Rosemary (Maschek) Bowe and Thomas Bowe.
Don will be remembered for his love of sports, his dedication to his community, the friendships he built, and the joy and laughter he brought to those around him. His family will cherish the memories of his unmistakable voice singing “Sweet Caroline,” his love for the city of St. Louis, and the special place he held in the lives of those who knew him.
Please join Don’s family for visitation on Wednesday, September 30, from 4:00–8:00 p.m. at Kutis Affton Chapel, 10151 Gravois Road, St. Louis, MO 63123.
A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, October 1, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Simon the Apostle Church, 11011 Mueller Road, St. Louis, MO 63123. Following the Mass, family and friends are invited to gather in the lower church hall for a reception.
A committal service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Calvary Cemetery, 5239 West Florissant Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63115.
In lieu of flowers, if there is a time when you are feeling down or sad, turn on “Sweet Caroline” and think of some joy that Don brought to your life. Spread that joy to others remembering that,
“Good times never seemed so good.”
My condolences to the family.
Don you will be missed at our lunches at the Elks ,We will miss your group hugs, moving boxes, hearing the Jimmy joke and Sweet Caroline. You were the best my friend and will never forget all the fun times we spent together at St Simons.
My best to your family. Don. Sorry we didn’t get to take the ride we planned down to our old neighborhood together. But I know you and my brother Pat are once again playing ball in the alley.
Don gave me an opportunity to work as a basketball referee and scorekeeper in the late 1980s/ early 1990s after St Simon’s gym was built and CYC games started there. He did a great job calling games and running the show, and he offered his advice to hrlp out young referees. I was always thankful for the opportunity and enjoyed reading about his full and complete life.
Very sorry to hear of his loss. Don taught me how to referee basketball at St. Simon grade school. He had to be one of first who would play musical entertainment at grade gyms in early ’90s in between games and halftime (Steve Winwood and Bob Kuban per my recollection). Was an honor to see him ref a basketball game my son played in during grade school. I took a picture of he and I to remember it. My condolences to the family.
Please accept the Sebben family’s deepest sympathy and our most sincere condolences on the passing of your Dad. I had known Don for over 40 years. He was a good friend who loved his family, his friends, and his Catholic faith. Whenever Don and I would talk he would always ask me how my family was doing and he would always call me on my birthday to wish me a Happy Birthday. When I last visited Don on September 20 at Mercy South, we had good visit talking about our families and friends, the good times we had at St. Simon’s, his good times at McBride High School, the Marianists, and his childhood growing up in beloved St. Augustine parish in North St. Louis, near old Sportsman’s Park.
We talked about how in the last few years, Don had been battling various health issues. Don was hopeful that with physical therapy he would get stronger and better and would be able to go home. I will miss my good friend, Don Bowe.
To paraphrase St. Paul from his Second Letter to Timothy: “The time for Don to depart has come. He fought the good fight, he has finished the race, he has kept the Faith.”
May God grant Don eternal rest and let His perpetual light shine upon him. May Don rest in eternal rest.
Sending thoughts and prayers to you, Greg, and your family. May God rest his soul and perpetual light shine upon him.
We are so sorry for the loss Don was a great guy and did so much for the parish and anybody you ask for help he will be missed
So sorry to Don’s family and friends! We had many fun and happy times together dancing, listening to music and of course singing “Sweet Caroline”. He will be missed! We will fondly remember Don, especially when we hear his song, and sing it loud and proud! Our sincere condolences, Ken and Denise Sabo
I’m so very sorry for your loss.
Working with Don over the years, he truly was the best—not just because of his laughter and humor, but because he was a genuinely kind and truly loving person.
He always seemed to know exactly when someone needed a smile, a good laugh, or a few encouraging words. I still smile thinking about how hard I tried not to fall out of my chair when he told his infamous “Billy and Bobby” story. And that birthday call he made years after his retirement meant so much.
He will be deeply missed.
So sorry for your loss. I knew Don from our days at the post office, and we also shared the same birthday. I am truly going to miss Daper Don, is what I called him, because he sure could dress. He always had a bright smile on his face. Condolences, Tasha McFowland
Deeply sorry for your loss. I worked with Don at the post office. He could always make us laugh and introduced us to ‘Jimmy and Bobby’. He lived life to the fullest and did the best version of ‘Sweet Caroline’. He was also the best dressed dude ever. Always smiling.