James Luther Luther Bowman Jr.

A native of Ponchatoula and a resident of Prairieville, he passed away in his home at 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011. He was 84, a retired truck driver for Gordon Transport and a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Korean War. He was a man that loved the outdoors and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and will be sadly missed. He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley Hoyt Bowman; two daughters, Linda Lanell Bowman Hill and husband Wayne, and Rhonda Elaine Bowman Parker and husband Benny Oliver; three sisters, Shirley Barton and husband Thevis, of Marietta, Ga., Patsy Bryant, of Ponchatoula, and Cherrie Quave and husband Charlie, of Albany; brother, Gary Bowman and wife Jo Ella, of Ferriday; three grandchildren, James Wayne Hill, Tammy Hill Bosch and Dudley Oliver Parker; and four great-grandchildren, Raymond "Ray Ray" Bosch IV, Jesse James Hill, Jase Michael Edwards Hill and Alyssa Ann Fritsche. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Ethel Matthews Bowman; a sister, Lula Mae McDonald; and a brother, Merlin Bowman. A visitation will be held at Ourso Funeral Home, Gonzales, on Friday, Dec. 9, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitation will resume at the funeral home Saturday, Dec. 10, from 9 a.m. until funeral service at 1 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Kerry Ash. Burial will follow in Oak Lane Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Gary Bowman, Michael Quave, Billy McCaully, Dwayne Clark, Bo James, Randy Bryant, Joe Martin and Ben Martin. Honorary pallbearers are James Wayne Hill and Dudley Oliver Parker. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the caring staff at Amedisys Hospice Services Group. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.oursofh.com.