Legendary Howard Coach Henry Bowles Dies At 80

Coach Henry Bowles

Legendary Howard High Coach Henry Wesley Bowles, Sr., has died at the age of 80 after a lengthy illness.

Coach Bowles was born in Chattanooga on Oct. 14, 1936. He graduated from Howard High School, class of 1955, and received his bachelor of arts degree from Lane College, Jackson, Tn. While at Lane College, he was student council president, business manager and Who’s Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Jackson, Tn., is where he met and married Joyce Ann Clark Bowles of Jackson, Tn., on June 19, 1960.

Henry had a long, illustrious career as an educator and coach at Howard High School. In August of 1959, he began his career under the leadership of Dr. C.C. Bond. Henry was employed as a social studies teacher, assistant football and head baseball coach. He taught American history, civics world history economics health, physical education, sociology, psychology and wellness during his tenure. He received the Evans Teacher of the Year award in 1979. His coaching career spanned 30+ years and included various coaching positions: assistant football coach, head baseball coach, head track coach, cross-country coach and head basketball coach.

In August of 1969, Henry was appointed head basketball coach by the late William Murphy. In December 1969, under the devoted leadership of Dr. Clifford Hendrix, he was appointed Athletic Director.

During his 29 years as basketball coach, his teams won 616 games, and lost 260. His teams qualified for the TSSAA State Tournament 17 times, advancing to the finals twice. He was named coach of the year seven times by the Chattanooga Times and five times by the Chattanooga News Free Press. Henry was inducted into the following Hall of Fames: In 1984, Chattanooga African American Museum Hall of Fame; in 1997, the Greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame; 2003, the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association Hall of Fame.

The body will lie in state at the John P. Franklin Funeral Home from 12-4 p.m. on Friday. The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity's Omega service will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, at First Baptist Church, 506 East 8th Street. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. at the church.