John Art Bower, 88, of Proctor, passed away of natural causes on the family ranch Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007. Art was born in Eudora, in November 1918, to Paul C. and Ilma Adams Bower.

He was a Sea-Bee in World War II. He was a dozer operator building airstrips at Adak, Alaska. He helped build the airstrips that carried the first atomic bomb to Hiroshima.

He was married to Barbara Lawrence on Sept. 19, 1942. They lived and ranched in the big draw in Elmo for several years. Later they moved to Proctor where he had since resided.

He was a true cowboy at heart. Over the years he raised sheep, cows, horses and a lot of hell. He could make any set of woods look like a park with his bulldozer skills. Even in his 80s he wanted to work an eight-hour day, but watching the Western channel was still a highlight of his day.

"Dear old grandpa Buddy, I will miss you, and I will take good care of your mule."

Art was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Barbara; a brother, Jim Bower; sister, Erma Jaques; and sister, Betty Jaques, who passed away one day before Art.

He is survived by a daughter, Frosty, and husband, Larry Johnson, of Post Falls, Idaho; granddaughter, Rhonda and husband, Les Walter, and very special great-grandchildren, Jessica and Justin McCracken, all of Columbia Falls. Art is also survived by a brother, Paul Bower, of Pablo; and sisters, Jane Weeks of Springfield, Ore., and Shirley Puyear of Bismarck, N.D.; and a very special friend, Bob Stolz, of Proctor.

A potluck celebration will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1, at the Idle Spur in Dayton.

Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory.