Earl Foster Bowman

Earl F. Bowman, 89, passed away on Tuesday, August 16th, 2011 in Independence, Missouri where he had been a resident for 60 years. Services and interment will be on Saurday, August 20th, at Mt. Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri. Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 p.m. followed by both a Masonic and religious service. Earl was born July 18th, 1922 in Butler, Missouri. He was the youngest of nine children born to Rev. Harry and Harriet (Johnson) Bowman. He spent most of his childhood around Stover, Missouri where he went to school through his Junior year and graduated from St. James, Missouri High School. He joined the U.S. Army and proudly served his country during World War II and was a veteran of the China-Burma-India campaign. He married Charlotte G. Colborn of Kansas City, Missouri on July 6th, 1946 and they remained married for 46 years until her death in 1992. After the war he began working as a window clerk for the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 1978. He was a long time member of St. Luke’s United Church of Christ in Independence and over the years served in many capacities. He was a member for 62 years in the Free Masons, a member of the Royal Arch Masons and also the Order of the Eastern Star. He was Past Master of the Gate City Lodge of Kansas City and served many years as a state District Deputy Grand Lecturer. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Charlotte and brothers and sisters Edward Bowman, Irena Blades, Harry “Hap” Bowman, Dorothy Mae Bowman, Ellen Dollison, Flo Oyler, Caroline Krogstad and Jim Bowman as well as friend and companion Ruby Gilbert. He is survived by son Kenneth and wife Janet (Dimmel) Bowman of Blue Springs, Missouri, son Paul and wife Cindy (Hinck) Bowman of Leawood, Kansas, granddaughters Jennifer and husband Kevin Hill of Keller, Tx; Kristen and Jade Hockman of Columbia, Missouri; Lauren Bowman of Columbia, Missouri and grandson Joshua Bowman of Kansas City, Missouri. He also had five great-grandchildren: Katelyn, Brittany, and Jackson Hill; and Kyra and Brynna Hockman and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the St. Luke’s United Church of Christ memorial fund or to the Kansas City Masonic Temple. Condolences may be offered to www.mtmoriah-freeman.com.Arrangements under the direction of Mount Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.