Dennis Jean Bowns

Dennis Jean Bowns of Nyssa, Oregon, passed away on July 4, 2025, at the age of 67. A farmer, a father, a papa, a pilot, a prankster, and a man who never met a stranger—Dennis lived a life full of love, laughter, and service.

Dennis was born October 21, 1957, in Seattle, Washington, to Mary and Duane Bowns.He was the fifth of seven children. He grew up in the Seattle area and graduated from Bishop Blanchet High School in 1976. Summers were spent on the farm in Eastern Oregon with his aunt and uncle, Ruth and Wayne Berrett, where his lifelong love of farming began.

It was during those summers that Dennis met Julene. They started dating during Julene’s senior year of high school. She graduated on a Sunday, they drove to Seattle on Monday, and married on Tuesday. Dennis and Julene were sealed in the Seattle Washington LDS Temple on May 26, 1981.

With the support of his father-in-law, Richard Wagstaff, Dennis began farming full-time in Nyssa. JD & Denise were born soon after. Stevie and Randy followed closely behind.In 1988, Dennis followed in his parent’s footsteps and earned his pilot’s license. The family moved to Buckeye, Arizona on the hottest day of the year. After Ryann was born,Dennis missed farming too much. They packed up and returned to Nyssa on the coldest day of the year--Julene cried the whole way back.

Katie & Sammy were born in 1992. If you ever asked Dennis about having two sets of twins, he’d throw his arms up in victory and declare, “I’m the man!” In 1994 on the 4th of July, their youngest, Annie was born. 

Dennis co-founded WBH Farms (Wagstaff Bowns Hansen) in 1999 with his father-in-law and brothers-in-law. It became a thriving family business and one of Dennis’s proudest accomplishments. Around the farm, he was known as a prankster and a jokester—always up to something mischievous and usually throwing a wrench or two.

Dennis loved flying his airplane, water skiing with his kids, and taking long rides on his Harley. But above all, he loved helping others. Whether coaching youth sports,delivering potatoes and onions to neighbors, volunteering at community events, or just being the guy who showed up—Dennis served with a big heart and bigger smile.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dennis held many callings, but his favorite was serving in the bishopric alongside two of his best friends,Mark D. Hartley and Bret Nielsen.

Dennis deeply loved his family. He was endlessly proud of his children and adored being “Papa” to his grandchildren. We’ll miss his teasing, his laugh, his wild stories, and the generous way he lived. He made everything more fun—he was the kind of dad and Papa who made life an adventure.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Julene; his 8 children and 18 grandchildren:

• JD & Danna Bowns of Nyssa, OR (Julianna, Lorien, John, Dennis, Richard)• Denise & Glen Adams of Crane, OR (Vince, McKee, Cam, Sunny)

• Stevie Bowns & Justin Howland of Salt Lake City, UT• Randy & Kiah Bowns of Nyssa, OR (Brody, Harper, Rev, Finley)

• Ryann & Christian Hulme of Beaverton, OR (Olive, Crew)

• Katie & Scott Beer of Yreka, CA (Scout, Reese, Quinn)

• Sammy & Drex Leduna of Chandler, AZ

• Annie Bowns of Salt Lake City, UT

He also leaves behind his brothers and sisters Carmela Bowns, Nick & Maureen Bowns, Barbara Bowns, Kate Bowns & Mike Petersen, Terry Bowns & Craig Watts,and Chris & Janet Bowns.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to all who cared for Dennis in his final days:Rebecca Rangel, Tyon Dittli, Dr. Brett Johnson, his hospice team, the staff at Sunset Villa, Terry Bowns, Craig Watts, Mark D. & Brenda Hartley, Bob Peterson, Sheree Schulthies, and many others. Your visits, care, and love meant the world.

Dennis’s life was rich with purpose, fun, and faith. He was one of a kind—and we’ll carry his memory in our laughter, our stories, and the way we serve others.

Funeral live stream link: Zoom.us.

Meeting ID: 820 6415 5752

Passcode: 012345

A funeral service will be held, 10:00 am, Saturday, July 12, 2025 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 848 Owyhee Ave, Nyssa, Oregon. A committal service will follow at the Owyhee Cemetery, Nyssa, Oregon.