John Richard "Dick" Bowles, Sr. of Clinton, MD, died on December 24, 2005 in St. Mary's Nursing Center, Leonardtown, MD.

Born on May 31, 1918 in Loveville, MD, he was the son of the late William Charles Bowles and Annie Violet Woodburn Bowles. Mr. Bowles served his country during World War II in the U.S. Army receiving the Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon and the World War II Ribbon. He served under General Patton. Mr. Bowles retired after 22 years of service with the Metropolitan Police Department in 1968. He was a member of the Retired DC Police Association.

He is survived by his wife Mary Isabel Johnson Bowles of Leonardtown, MD, a son, John Richard Bowles, Jr., a daughter Gloria Bowles Swearingen, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Mr. Bowles was preceded in death by his sisters and brothers, Aloysius Bowles, Rosa Johnson, Margaret Guy, Charles Bowles, J. Wilmer Bowles, Sr., Queenie Mae Johnson, Mignonette Wathen, Etta Bailey and Mary Kines.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 29, 2005 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. in Leonardtown, MD. Prayers will be recited at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 30, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Morganza, MD. The Reverend Keith Woods will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in the Queen of Peace Cemetery, Helen, MD.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Mary's Nursing Center Foundation, P.O. Box 232, Leonardtown, MD 20650.