Theodore Bowser, Jr.

Theodore Bowser, Jr. — known to the world as Ted, to his family as Daddio, Thedo, and Popa, and to those who loved him simply as Teddy — passed away at the age of 95, leaving behind a legacy of service, laughter, and an unshakeable love for his family. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1930, Ted grew up between the vibrant culture of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast community of Pass Christian, Mississippi. From those beginnings, he would go on to live one of the most honorable lives imaginable — as a soldier, a public servant, a husband, a father, and a man who made every room he walked into a little louder and a lot warmer.

A Soldier to His Core 

Ted served 23 years in the United States Army, rising to the rank of Command Sergeant Major (E-9) — believed to be one of the youngest soldiers ever to achieve that rank. He served with distinction in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War, earning a record of service that reflects the very best of American military tradition.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Code of Conduct Medal, Survival Escape and Evasion, and CBR Training certification. Each honor tells a piece of a story that words alone cannot fully capture.

After retiring from the Army, Ted continued his commitment to public service as a City Councilman in Seaside, California — because for Ted, serving others was never just a career. It was a calling.

The Man Behind the Uniform

Ted Bowser was a joyful man. At 95, he carried himself like a man of 30 — full of life, full of laughter, and absolutely full of sayings. "I've got a million of them," he would tell you, and he wasn't wrong. He loved life to its fullest and was happiest when surrounded by the beautiful chaos of a big family gathered together. He valued service, kindness, and integrity above all else. He held the people he loved to the highest of standards — not because he was hard, but because he believed deeply that we are all capable of being our very best selves. He was our rock. He was a soldier to his core. And when the time came, even at the end, he told his family simply: "Continue to march."

His laugh could be heard from miles away. He was boisterous and proud, and the world was a better, louder, more loving place because of him. In his final days, he offered one last piece of wisdom, borrowing from General Douglas MacArthur: "Old soldiers never die — they just fade away."

Family 

Ted was preceded in death by his parents and leaves behind a family that is the greatest testament to the life he lived. He is survived by his beloved wife of over 44 years, Paula McLaughlin Bowser; his daughters, Beverly Anne Bowser, Kristine (Bowser) Neal (Jeff), and Kathryn (Bowser) Duphily (Steve); his cherished nieces whom he raised as his own, Kerstin (Baker) Purvis (Kyle) and Veronica (Baker) Cox (Dustin); nine grandchildren, Evie Duphily, Mason Neal, Madeline Neal, Kimberly Cox, Cora Cox, Theodore Cox, Jolene Cox, Derek Peet Jr., and Beverly Arnett; and three great-grandchildren, Azeyla Peet, Aiyana Peet, and Matisse Peet. 

Services & Memorial 

Theodore Bowser, Jr. will be laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C. A date is to be determined; details will be shared with family and friends as plans are confirmed. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Ted's memory with a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org.

Finally, he wants us all to know: "It's ok by me if it's ok bayou."