Legacy of a legend: Memorial service celebrates life of Bobby Bowden

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – One authorities person called him “a Florida and nationalist treasure” arsenic mourners gathered this play to grant the beingness and bequest of legendary Florida State University shot manager Bobby Bowden, who died past play aft a conflict with pancreatic cancer.

There volition beryllium a solemnisation of beingness for Bowden astatine the Tucker Civic Center astatine 11 a.m. Saturday astatine FSU and those who privation to be are encouraged to get aboriginal due to the fact that ample crowds are expected. Doors unfastened astatine 9:30 a.m.

In a connection to Floridians, Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis said the 91-year-old Bowden “leaves down a bequest that transcends sports.”

“There volition ne'er beryllium different similar him,” Patronis said.

The reality Bowden’s passing started sinking successful for fans, erstwhile players and friends arsenic the beloved manager laic successful grant astatine the Florida Capitol rotunda Friday and past laic successful repose astatine the Moore Athletic Center astatine FSU before his ceremonial connected Saturday.

Ad

Fans lined up for hours Friday to accidental farewell arsenic flags flew astatine half-staff crossed the Sunshine State successful Bowden’s honor.

Bowden was described arsenic a antheral of faith, tough, and having a bosom of garnet and gold.

The household and FSU President John Thrasher paid their respects first. Afterward, Thrasher was visibly moved.

“I’m emotional, emotional. But God bless him and his family. He was a fantastic man,” Thrasher said.

A dependable travel of mourners paid their respects implicit the three-hour memorial astatine the Capitol.

Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony said Bowden was liable for his successes.

“All those things that were portion of practice, portion of football, crook into the instauration for however I adjacent pb my enactment to this day,” said Tony.

At slightest a twelve erstwhile players shared stories with each other.

“He would spell to those lockers erstwhile helium knew kids were hurting and helium would beryllium astatine those lockers each time aft signifier and speech to them,” said Jimmy Jordan.

Ad

“I deliberation helium cared truthful overmuch for his squad and they knew it. He had a batch of faith, and God helped him, I believe,” said Sue Hall, who was Bowden’s adjunct for 23 years.

After the viewing astatine the authorities gathering Friday, Bowden’s casket was brought to Florida State’s campus, wherever fans lined up successful the shadiness of his statue to accidental their last farewells astatine the diversion halfway Friday evening.

Bowden’s shot vocation included 377 victories, 2 nationalist titles and a twelve ACC title wins with FSU.

Following Saturday’s service, Bowden’s last resting spot is successful Alabama. On Sunday evening, helium volition prevarication successful repose astatine Reid Chapel astatine Samford University.

He volition past beryllium buried successful a backstage work successful Trussville, Alabama.

Copyright 2021 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.