Dennis Wayne "Paul" Bowens was born on March 10, 1954, in Riverside, California to the late Annanias Bowens and the late Roberta Brooks Bowens.  He passed away on July 16, 2024, at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, California. Paul was 70 years old.

Paul was a beloved uncle, cousin, friend and member of the Blythe community. He excelled in academics and athletics, graduating in the top 10% of the Palo Verde High School (PVHS) Class of 1972 and as a three-year football letterman and four-year varsity baseball player. Paul was also an athletic trailblazer: following his PVHS graduation, he attended Western Illinois University where became one of only three black collegiate quarterbacks in the United States. After college, Paul spent some time in the Midwest before returning to his hometown of Blythe, California, where he worked at the Ironwood State Prison as a Law Librarian until he retired. In his retirement, Paul remained active in the Blythe community, taking on various roles in his PVHS alumni association and enjoying hobbies such as fishing, burning "mixtape" CDs, and spending time with friends and family. Paul was known for his kindness, politeness, and ability to bring out the best in others. He was a true leader and a gentle soul who will be greatly missed by his family and the numerous friends, colleagues and classmates who filled up his life.

Paul is survived his niece, Krietta (Terrence) Bowens Jones of Newton, Massachusetts, and nephew, Lacey Alan Bowens; great-niece, Nora Jones; great-nephews, Keith Jones and Jayden Bowens; sisters-in-law, Nikki Brooks of Stockton, California and Maria Bowens of Boston, Massachusetts; and many other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Annanias Bowens and Roberta Brooks Bowens; and brothers, Frederick Bowens, James "Juba" Brooks, Eugene Brooks and Monte Bowens.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at the American Legion Post 24, 137 N. Ash in Blythe 11:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.