Gordon Bowley, who championed youth sports in Costa Mesa for decades, has died.
Bowley died on April 17. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in November 2021, which has spread to his liver and lungs, his daughter Cara Jones said.
He was 85 years old.
Bowley was the president of Costa Mesa United, a nonprofit organization that provided grants for youth sports programs and facilities in the city. He was also chairman of the youth sports council.
“Even when he started getting sick, he was still going out and doing things,” said Costa Mesa United board member Jose De La Jara. “It’s hard not to have him there because he’s just been such a constant figure for our youth sport. He gave at both Costa Mesa and Estancia. His kids went to estancia, but he really had a good, sharp, even keel [spirit]. He really was the ultimate diplomat. He would get things done, and in a very nice, diplomatic way.”
Bowley was born and raised in Manitoba, Canada. He and longtime wife Carol, who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last November, moved to Costa Mesa in 1968.
Gordon Bowley stands next to the Estancia High School running track and soccer practice field where he planned to have a new stadium built in 2005.
(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)
He used to own a magnet company called Rainbow Magnetics Inc. but has remained very busy in his retired life.
Bowley was often called to presenter events and was also heavily involved in a support group for Hoag Hospital called the 552 Club. He was an elder of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and received the 2016 Costa Mesa Mayor’s Award.
“Whatever he touched, he could make an impact on the community he loved so much,” said Cara Jones. “He loved Costa Mesa. It really was his home and his heart.”
Bowley signed when the late Jim Scott famously donated the first $100 to what would eventually become Estancia’s Jim Scott Stadium in 1991. Costa Mesa United, originally formed with the goal of building a soccer stadium at Estancia High and a water sports complex at Costa Mesa High, was eventually formed.
In recent years, Bowley helped found the Mesa Verde Classic golf tournament, which celebrated its 19th year last month, and serves as a major fundraiser for Costa Mesa United. Bowley has also volunteered in the Jones Cup Community Golf Tournament since its inception in 2000.
Costa Mesa United and Newport Rib Co. jointly host the annual All-Sports Cup, which is awarded to the Costa Mesa High School that performs best in all sports at Battle for the Bell games.
Estancia’s Jake Knapp, left, is congratulated by his grandfather Gordon Bowley as he is announced as the winner during the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce’s 33rd Annual Les Miller Outstanding Student Awards and Scholarship Recognition Breakfast.
(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)
“He had a big heart,” said former Costa Mesa Mayor Steve Mensinger, a founding member of the Costa Mesa United board of directors, who said he sees Bowley as a mentor. “But there are many people with good hearts, and many people do nothing with them. Gordon did something with it. Lots of people have ideas; Gordon liked to execute… He was the spark plug.”
Family was also important to Bowley, who had three children, daughters Cara and Jennifer and a son, Fraser. He also had six grandchildren, all of whom were involved in sports in some way.
Jennifer’s two children, Ryan and Jake Knapp, were both accomplished golfers at UC Irvine and USC, respectively. Jake continues to perform and is currently on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Cara’s two oldest sons, Travis and Tyler, were college swimmers and baseball players, respectively. Their third son, Chad, is a sportswriter and their youngest son, Cade, is a current track and field bowler at Clemson University.
“Sport was a big part of our lives,” Cara Jones said, adding that his grandchildren affectionately called Bowley “daddy.”
“We used to have dinner at my parents’ house every Sunday,” she said. “He was holding court with the grandchildren, sitting out there back and they had a cigar and a drink. He was probably one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. His spontaneous wit was second to none.
“If I have to describe my father briefly, he was incredibly black and white. There was no gray in his life. Morality, community service, loyalty to my mother. It was very clear that it was God, family, friends and community. He lived this life.”
The Bowleys welcomed their first great-grandchild, Clark, in January. Ryan Knapp and his wife gave their son the middle name Gordon, just like Ryan’s own middle name.
Gordon Bowley’s name will not be forgotten. Jennifer Knapp, herself a Costa Mesa United board member, recently took over as chair of the meetings for her father.
“Gordon is more than one person could ever articulate,” said Laura Yourex, another Costa Mesa United board member. “He meant so much to so many. Starting Costa Mesa United was such a labor of love, so he really did it all. He brought many good people into the world, not only through his family but also through his dedication to giving these children access to sport.”
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