Obituary of Dakota Murray Bowden

On Saturday October 8, 2022 Dakota Murray Bowden passed away peacefully at home. Born in Halifax, he was the son of Hope Lorraine Bowden and David Murray McDowell (Christine). Dakota was a brilliant, sensitive, compassionate and kind hearted individual. In his early years, Dakota played piano, violin and enjoyed art lessons. He loved the beach, skateboarding, biking, swimming and spending time with his cousins, God brothers and grandparents in New Glasgow. Dakota enjoyed baseball, Tae Kwon Do and developed an affinity for the arts. He was a talented artist who also enjoyed writing, and learning about dolphins, marine biology, Japanese culture and anime. He loved animals, especially his personal pets Fluffy, Turnip and Autumn. A graduate of Halifax West High School, Dakota went on to study Kinesiology at Dalhousie University obtaining the dean's list status. Dakota had a deep passion for social justice as a result of his lived experiences as a Black man, through healthcare, employment, education and community. Besides his parents, Dakota is survived by his half brothers Jonah and Micah McDowell; grandmother Cora MacLean, New Glasgow; Godmother Juanita Paris, Eastern Passage; Aunt/Godmother “Missy” Lorna Bowden (Shane Harrie) Whites Lake; Aunt “Angie” Angela Bowden, New Glasgow and Aunt “Coco” Cora Leigh Johnson of Bedford; Uncle/ Godfather Troy Thomas, Halifax, Uncle Philip Borden of New Glasgow and Uncle Roger Beals. Also surviving are his beloved cousins Eric Thomas, Marissa Maccallum, Whites Lake; Roger and Roemyn Beals, Bedford and Terrell Borden of Halifax; God brothers Justin and JP Fletcher and “special” Aunts Violet Fletcher, Robyn Atwell and Laura Francis. He was predeceased by his grandfather Dennis Eugene Bowden, great grandparents Colin Everett and Dorothy Mae (Jordan) MacLean, John Edward and Abuellias Orora (Jewell) Bowden and cousin DeAngelo Eugene Beals. Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 16, 2022, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at T.J Tracey Cremation and Burial, located at 71 McQuade Lake Crescent, Halifax, Nova Scotia. A private family service and cremation will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Dakota’s memory to the Nova Scotia Brotherhood Fund at: https://www.mentalhealthns.ca/brotherhood-donations.