Hugh Patrick “PeeWee” Bowen
Hugh Patrick “PeeWee” Bowen, 79, of Dickinson, peacefully passed away May 18, 2023 in Webster in the company of loved ones. PeeWee was born August 8, 1943 to Betty and Al Bowen, Sr. in Galveston, Texas. He was a machinist by trade. He started out in the mailroom at Monsanto and worked his way all the way up to Night Superintendent. He took an early retirement, moved to East Texas and began training his much-loved paint horses. Eventually he moved back to Santa Fe and went to work for Praxair before finally retiring for good. PeeWee had three great passions in life – helping people, hot rods and his music. He delighted audiences with his performances with the PeeWee Bowen Band for more than 60 years. To know him was to love him. He will be missed by all who knew him.
In 1964 he married Janet Lee (Mason) Bowen and together they had three children. They made a life filled with love for their family, good paint horses, good music and more fun than any family could hope for. After Janet’s passing in 2000, he married Jerry Ann Simpson in 2001 and continued a fun filled life with her – still entertaining all around the Gulf Coast, still driving fast cars, helping people and having fun.
During the last year of his life, he was a regular congregant at Bay Area Church. Over the years he was a member of countless Paint Horse Clubs, hot rod clubs, and the Rotary Club of the Mainland. The “Legendary PeeWee Bowen” had a band since 1958. He won several awards with his hot rods, his band, his horses and was honored with a proclamation by the City of LaMarque marking August 8 as “PeeWee Bowen Day.” He had the honor of being the grand marshal in several parades in the Gulf Coast area but his favorite was being Grand Marshal for the Mardi Gras parade.
PeeWee was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife and mother of his children, Janet, and his beloved wife Jerry Ann.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory his daughters Deanna Cornell and husband Bill, Patricia Wanek; son Troy Bowen and wife Tricia; sister Debra Keller and husband Mike; brother Al Bowen, Jr. and wife Diana; grandchildren Holly Smith and husband Sterling, Jill Molloy and husband Colt; Zach Cornell and wife Liberty, Drew Erwin and wife Mercedes, Thomas Wanek, Trey Bowen, Lane Bowen, and Bailey Davis; great-grandchildren Finn, Cru and Cam Molloy, Swayde, and Hartlyn Smith, Morgan Cornell, Celeste and Blake Erwin, and Braxton Davis; numerous nieces, nephews and several others that he counted as family.
In his honor there will be a visitation 5:00 – 8:00 pm, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at Crowder Funeral Home Dickinson, with funeral services 10:00 am, Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at Bay Area Church. Interment follows at Galveston Memorial Park, Hitchcock.
Wow. What a loss and I am deeply effected by this event. My condolences go out to his family in their time of grieving for they all need our prayers .
Pee Wee was a great friend and we go back to the 5th grade at Highlands elementary and did we have a great early years. We were in scouts together and my father had a likening for Pee Wee.
His musical talent as we know lasted a lifetime and we benefitted from seeing him perform over the years. A unique person. Rest in peace old friend.
David Barker
My wife, Kathy, and I first met PeeWee and Ms Jerry six years ago on our 45th wedding anniversary at a small venue in Nederland. That evening was one of the most enjoyable times we shared on any of our anniversaries. PeeWee , Jerry and the entire band made us feel like lifelong friends. Unfortunately, Kathy passed away in July of ‘21. But she was a true PeeWee devotee. I’m truly heartbroken for the family and anyone who had the good fortune to be a part of PeeWee’s regular group. God bless you all.
Our very sincere sympathy.
There are simply no words to express the depth of sadness we all feel in losing our beloved Peewee. His light shone on so many of us and lifted us up during our dark times. What a treasure he was. We are all on loan to each other here on Earth for however long we have. Then we each will be called home. For all who shared a path with Peewee, you are blessed beyond measure. Let that blessing fill your hearts and rejoice in memories of this wonderful person who walked with us, for as long as we had him. Condolences to all family and friends.
my tribute to pee wee bowen band was when they PLAYED AT T-BONE TOMS & THE Galveston BAY PAROT HEAD Club cHRISMAS pARTY tHEY Had a Playlist of Songs From the 50s 60s & 70s sO may god Rest His Soul.
Love, thoughts, and prayers go out to the family of a man who was one of a kind. I’ve known PeeWee for all of my adult life, I knew his Mom, she was a jewel, I know his sister Debbie, she babysat my daughter, they were a wonderful family and I was so blessed to be a party of their lives.
PeeWee will be missed beyond measure but he will be forever remembered for his music that he gave us all. I’m sure he is smiling down on us now singing and the angels are singing along with him. God bless and keep the memories strong.
Wow what a loss. I went to high school with Pee Wee. We spent some time together as kids before that. It was Bob Faust that got us together. I had no idea about his band was started so early nor that he was such a celebrity all over the coast.
He will surely be missed by his loving family and all who knew him. I’m sure that he will be singing next to Jesus. Godspeed, Pee Wee. Catch you later.
Buddy Schumann
Bless you and your family PeeWee.
We love you from or family at Topwater Grill. Capt.Wally, Barbara, Ginny, Robert Jakubas.
You will be truly missed. I loved your music and that wonderful smile you always had. You always had something sweet to say about me. and make feel special. I will miss you dearly.
My only regret is not meeting Pee Wee sooner in my life. When I first met Pee Wee in 2009, the year I joined the Houston Classic Chevy Club, he welcomed me and we both had many conversations about Tri Fives, family and music.
One of the finest man I have met.
Condolences from the Houston Classic Club to the family and to his many friends.
God broke the mold when he gave us Pee Wee.
My he Rest in Peace
I am devastated by the news of the passing of my dear friend Pee Wee. When we moved to Seabrook in 1996 we first listened to Pee Wee’s band. They were terrific and Pee Wee’s voice was amazing. My husband, Bruce and I became instant Pee Wee followers and even had his band shirts with our names on them. We loved all our wonderful times with Pee Wee, Jerry, band members, and followers. These will always be some of the fondest memories of my life. My husband, Bruce passed 4 years ago. When Bruce was alive Pee Wee came to our house to visit him and brought us eggs from his chickens. He was such a giving man and cared so much about others. Pee Wee I will always remember you, and the wonderful times we had. You were a wonderful person beyond the band & we become lifetime friends. I love you dearly dear friend and you will always have a special place in my heart. I will miss you so. I am sure you are in peace and in heaven singing for God. Sincere sympathy to your family and all those who love you. God Bless your soul. Jenny Arunyon & son, Travis Kiro
Peewee was my buddy and friend. He occasionally asked me to sing a song with him and we spent lots of time talking music. He will be irreplaceable as he was a “powerhouse singer” who could really belt it out. He told me his mom and my dad who was a big band trumpet player, played together a few times. He will be more than missed, Lanis and Drenda neugent
PeeWee brought so much joy to everyone who came to listen to him! Grandmothers danced with grandchildren! People who couldn’t dance, danced! For a few hours we forgot our cares and let PeeWee’s music wash over us. And this went on for years and years! Truly a great man! He will be missed, but we are thankful we had him
at all.
My condolences to PeeWees family. RIP my friend. Your sweet personality and your great music will be missed but not forgotten. Thank you for the years of entertainment you provided. God Bless you.
Nancy Warren
Pee Wee Bowen will be remembered forever.Worked with him for years at Praxair and then went to see him at the clubs, he was the best. I’m sure he is heaven right now entertaining everyone. Bless you sweetie and rest in peace till I see you again.
PeeWee was a much loved friend of my uncles. They were friends since kids. My aunt and uncle would travel to listen to him sing with his band. When my uncle and then my aunt passed, he blessed us by singing The Lord’s Prayer at both funerals. He was a kind and compassionate man. My thoughts and prayers go out his family and friends.
What a wonderful person he will me missed by all. Pee Wee brought joy to every ones life. He loved people and his music.
Linda Whitaker
Pee Wee Whitaker
Margie Whitaker
Through school, through life – Pee Wee you have always been the best friend anyone could ever have. Our Lord has called one of his angels home as you have completed your work here, but an empty spot has been left for all of us.
Keep singing my friend. We’ll see each other again one day and join in song again.
R. I. P. Brother.
I’ll never forget sneaking into the Bayou Drive Inn with us hiding in the trunk on dollar a carload night. Exploring the old Blimp Base, and hanging out at a convenience store in Colored Town waiting for a local of color to buy us a 6 pack of beer. Burgers and fried Chicken at Bosticks. Crusing the Terrace wearing Ducktails and our collars up.
And many other great memories of great times.
You were a legend in your own time.
I’ll always remember you.
Bobby Gouty
Condolences to family and friends. I haven’t seen Peewee since high school but I remember him fondly.
When my mother was on her death bed PeeWee held her hand and sang her favorite song mustang sally . That meant so much to me and my sisters, just knowing my mother left this world hearing one of her favorite songs . He was a good friend to my parents , every time that my parents were at one of his gigs he would always say hello to them over the microphone making them feel so good. I guess my parents told the good lord how well he sang that the good lord called him home to hear mustang sally himself . We are going to miss you PeeWee.
So saddened to hear of his passing & today a photo of he & I popped up on Facebook which was taken at Haak Winery some years ago – he was such a kind soul. Rest in peace dear sweet man ❤️🙏
My father Honorat Medina Jr worked with PeeWee at Monsanto as a machinist. He used to tell me about him and his band. He liked PeeWee very much. I never had the opportunity to meet PeeWee but I always felt like I knew him because of my Dad’s relationship. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
PeeWee and I were friends in high school. I haven’t seen him since, but we exchanged a few emails with photos of his “hot rods” over the past 10 years. He was always very helpful on my car repair projects and a lot of fun to be around.
I didn’t know him personally, but I heard his music for many years. Prayers to those who loved him.
I worked with Pee Wee at Monsanto Chemical. I admired him as a great person and entertainer.
I know he will be missed greatly!