Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Press release here. Be aware.
Both processions will be incredible, but the Tuesday procession should be quite a sight. Two ladder trucks will have ladders arched over Patton Avenue at the intersection with Louisana Avenue in tribute. An American flag will hang in between.
The visitation for Asheville Fire Department Captain Jeffrey Bowen will take place at Biltmore Baptist Church, located at 35 Clayton Road in Arden, Monday, Aug. 1, from 6 to 9 p.m. The visitation is open to the public.
Members of the community will have an opportunity to pay their respects to Captain Bowen Monday afternoon as the Asheville Fire Department and approximately 25 of its vehicles and apparatus will provide escort as Captain Bowen’s body is transported from Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue to Biltmore Baptist Church. The procession, which will only include Asheville Fire Department vehicles, is scheduled to leave the funeral home around 3:30 p.m.
The escort route is as follows: Patton Avenue to Louisiana Avenue to Haywood Road to Brevard Road to Clayton Road, where Biltmore Baptist Church is located. Members of the public wishing to pay tribute to Captain Bowen are encouraged to line the escort route in safe areas.
Motorists should note that all intersections will be blocked during the escort. Traffic delays are expected.
The memorial service, to be held at Biltmore Baptist Church, will begin promptly at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Aug 2. Parking will be available at the church. Once parking at the church reaches capacity, additional parking will be available at T.C. Roberson High School. Buses will be made available to provide shuttle transportation to and from the church.
Heavy traffic is expected before the service and the public is asked to plan accordingly.
At the conclusion of the service, the body of Captain Bowen will be taken back to Groce Funeral Home, following the same route previously outlined only reversed. Attending fire departments from across the region and state will participate.
Intersections will be blocked during the escort and significant traffic delays are expected between noon and 2 p.m. Members of the public wishing to pay tribute to Captain Bowen are encouraged to line the escort route in safe areas.
The family has respectfully requested that no photographs or video be taken inside the church at both the visitation and the memorial.
The City of Asheville Fire Department will be assisted by approximately 25 other communities to ensure that all Asheville Fire Department personnel are relieved of duty allowing all members of the department to pay respects to their fallen friend and colleague.
