Obituary of Jerrel Ross Bowers

Jerrel "Jerry" Bowers, 64, passed away January 8, 2021, in Meridian, Idaho.  

Jerry was born in Nampa, Idaho, to Donald and Dorothy Bowers on August 6, 1956.  He attended schools in Meridian from kindergarten through high school, graduating from Meridian High School in 1974.  

While growing up, Jerry was involved in Boy Scouts and reached the highest level of scouting, the Eagle Scout.

As a teenager, Jerry worked alongside his dad and older brother, Kenny, at the family-owned service station in Meridian, "Don's Meridian Shell."  This is where he found his calling as a mechanic.  In 1979, at the age of 23, he was hired as a diesel mechanic for G&B Redi-Mix of Nampa.  He was employed with them for 40 years.  

Jerry, aka "Hot Shoe", started racing stock cars at Meridian Speedway at the age of 18, following in his father's and Kenny's footsteps.  Jerry was a natural behind the wheel of a car and was noticed by several car owners.  He was asked to drive their cars throughout the United States, Canada, and Australia on the Northwest NASCAR Tour and the NASCAR Winston West series.  

In 1977, at the age of 21, Jerry married his high school sweetheart, Melodie Ellis.  Four years later, in 1981, their daughter, Amber, was born.  She was a "daddy's girl" and started attending races at the age of six weeks.  Amber has many fond memories of her dad racing but it was the time at home, being his sidekick, that she treasures the most.

Jerry then married Kimberly Mitich on August 21, 2004.  Together they built a cabin in Donnelly, Idaho, and enjoyed snowmobiling, boating on Cascade Lake, and just getting away.  They both enjoyed being involved with the Meridian Optimist Club, from Easter egg hunts for kids to Christmas tree sales.

Jerry became a grandpa, or “Papa”, eight years ago, and that is where he really shined!  He was a grandpa to two loving grandchildren who adored him greatly!  He was great at everything he did but being a grandpa was what he was the very best at. Jerry kept very involved in the lives of his grandkids and they had so much fun together every step of the way.

Jerry is survived by his mother, Dorothy; wife, Kimberly; brothers: Kenny and Larry; daughter, Amber; and grandchildren: Karly and Kruze Koski.

August 6, 2021, would have been Jerry's 65th birthday, which is why we chose this day to celebrate Jerry's life at Meridian Speedway.  At 6:30 pm, we ask that all who attend to line up in their cars at the entrance to the pits for the parade over the finish line in front of Jerry's family and then to the "beer barn" by the front gate for the celebration and sharing of memories.

Donations can be made in Jerry's name to Donnelly Fire & EMS, PO Box 1178, Donnelly, ID 83615, or Meridian Optimist Club, PO Box 681, Meridian, ID 83680.

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