David Bowles, Jr.

June 17, 1947 - February 11, 2021

David Alexander Bowles Jr, D.D.S., 73, of Sarasota, FL; loving husband, father, grandfather, and dear friend, passed away on February 11, 2021. David was born on June 17, 1947 to David and Dorothy Bowles in Vidalia, Georgia. As a young boy, his family moved to Venice, FL where his father served as senior pastor of the Venice Presbyterian church. While in Venice, David met and married his high school sweetheart, Susan Dear. He attended The University of South Florida and dental school at the University of Maryland where he graduated with honors in 1972 with a D.D.S. degree. He also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins University. David proudly served in the United States Army as a captain in the Dental Corps, stationed at Ft. McPherson, Georgia. David and his wife Susan then returned to Florida, settling in Sarasota where he established a pediatric dental practice in 1976 and practiced for 45 years. He particularly enjoyed serving special needs patients and did his utmost to assist the needy. He also served on the Sarasota Cleft Palate team and was an active member of the Sarasota County Dental Association. David had a love for life and enjoyed traveling, experiencing other cultures and food. One of David's favorite past times was photography; he won the grand prize in the Kodak International Photo Contest in 1980. He enjoyed many outdoor activities, like camping, boating, scuba diving, and underwater photography, but his love of golf outranked them all. He began playing in middle school and continued throughout his life enjoying weekly games with many of his closest friends. David is survived by his wife Susan of 53 years; his three sons, David A. Bowles, III and wife Jenny, Justin W. Bowles and wife Kelli, Cody Bowles; all of Sarasota, FL; including three grandchildren, Hannah, Alex, and Madison; his brother Tolly and sister-in-law Roberta Bowles of Franklin, NC; two nieces, Kristen and Laura and nephew John. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 pm Wednesday February 24, 2021 at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, 40 North Orange Avenue, Sarasota, Florida 34236.The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Thursday morning at Church of The Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, Florida 34239. Interment will be at 1:00 pm at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, Florida 34241. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to Smile Train at www.smiletrain.org .