Melvin Lee "Kojak" Bowen, 74, died Saturday, March 6, 2010, at his residence. Born in Beaumont on February 18, 1936, Kojak was a resident of Holden, Louisiana and served in the United Sates Marine Corps.

His father, Charles Bowen; mother, Ophelia Marie "Shorty" Sullivan; step-father, LeRoy Sullivan; and brother, Patrick Bowen preceded him in death.

Survivors include his sons, Charles Bowen, James Bowen and his wife, Lisa, Michael Bowen and his wife, Rebecca, and Matthew Bowen; daughters, Tina Boudreaux and her husband, Lester and Cynthia Colkmire and her husband, Johnny; twenty-one grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; his loving companion, Micki; many aunts, uncles, and cousins; and his former wife, Sadie Bowen Parent.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 13, 2010, at High Island Baptist Church in High Island, Texas with interment to follow in High Island Cemetery under the direction of Broussard’s, 134 W. Buccaneer Drive in Winnie. A gathering of his family and friends will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, until the time of the service, at the church.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Baton Rouge General Hospital and Generations Hospice for their care.