Murray Bowes

On Oct. 8, 2008, Murray R. Bowes of Orcas Island passed away after a long illness.

He was born in Battle Creek, Mich. in 1947 to Donald and Elayne (McClish) Bowes. He attended high school in Scotch Plains, N.J., and spent his summers as a youth sailing in Canada. He graduated from Kent State University with a degree in business, and from the University of Akron School of Law.

An entrepreneur at heart, Murray ran a publishing company in Kent, Ohio. In 1983 he authored “The Personal Computer Buyer’s Guide.” This book caught the eye of Krupp-Taylor, the advertising company holding Apple Computer’s first account, and propelled his marketing career. As Chairman and CEO of Bowes, Dentsu & Partners, and a board member of the agency’s parent, Dentsu, Young & Rubicam, Murray guided the companies to great success.

In Ojai, Calif. during the 1990’s, Murray Bowes Inc. continued to revolutionize electronic and direct marketing models as the internet came of age. Murray had the uncanny ability to trim a project or a conversation down to its most essential and meaningful form.

In 1996 the accomplished musician and songwriter followed his life-long dream of producing an album. His album titled “Third Stone Out,” was a testament to his love for rock ‘n roll.

Murray, with his wife and daughter, moved to Orcas Island in 2003 to live the good life and sail. He continued to work as a marketing consultant, and enjoyed the powerful beauty of the San Juan Islands.

Murray is survived by his mother Elayne, his wife Kathryn and daughter Carra, his son Thaddeus, brothers John (and Sheila) Bowes, Jeff (and Ellen) Bowes, sister Maryanne (and Tom) Conklin, and many other family members, friends and fans. He will be missed.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (www.michaeljfox.org) or to a charity of your choice.

The public is invited to visit and sign Murray’s guestbook at www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com

Submitted by the Bowes family.

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