WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Mark Dirks Bowles lost his battle with cancer Thursday, June 5, 2014, in Winston-Salem. He was born Jan. 25, 1958, in Salina, Kan., to Barbara (Dirks) and Clifford Bowles.Mark spent his early years in Salina and Shawnee, Kan., and Kansas City, Mo. He attended high school at Maur Hill Mount Academy through his junior year, then moved to Lacey, Wash., to live with his father and second family and graduated from North Thurston High School in 1976. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany, from 1976 to 1979. After his service in the Army, Mark returned to Salina until 1981, then back to Germany. There, he met Sybille (Neher), and in April 1986 they were married. They have three beautiful children, Sophie, Michelle and Kenneth. He and Sybille later divorced and Mark returned to the United States, residing in Jacksonville, Fla., where he worked for AT&T and discovered his love of the ocean and passion for scuba diving. In 2008, he was transferred to Winston-Salem, where he adopted his best friend, Princess, and where his larger-than-life presence, infectious smile and caring, supportive attitude left an impact on all who had the privilege of working with him.He is survived by his children, Sophie, Michelle and Kenneth (Neher), all of Friedrichshafen, Germany; mother, Barbara Gilmore; stepmother, Marilyn Bowles; brothers, Clifford, Jon and Michael Bowles and Ron Gilmore; sister, Suzanne (Bowles) Krauss; and many uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his father, Clifford Bowles; stepfather, Ron Gilmore; and daughter, Natasha Leahenbauber.A Mass of Christian Burial, celebrating Mark's life, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 13, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Salina, with burial of ashes in Roselawn Memorial Park, Salina. There is no visitation.Memorials are to the American Cancer Society.Ryan Mortuary, Salina, is in charge of arrangements.