Michael Lynn Bowman

Captain Michael Lynn Bowman passed away at his home on Sunday, Febuary 7th, 2016. Born June 20, 1945, Mike was raised in Burlington, NC and attended the University of NC at Chapel Hill while serving in the National Guard.

Initially under the tutelage of Captain Eddie Hanneman in Wrightsville Beach, Mike ran numerous charter and commercial boats throughout southeastern NC, the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, Carribean, and Central America. A genuine Jack-of-all-trades, the Commodore (as his friends called him) sought out opportunities for travel and adventure, choosing marlin fishing and stock car racing over a more conventional life.

After living in Wrightsville Beach, the Turks and Caicos, and Southport, NC, Mike divided his time the past 15 years between Wilmington, the Florida Keys, and the Bahamas, traveling extensively with his lovely first mate Margery and his cat Anchor on his beloved trawler, the Brave Turtle.

Captain Mike will be fondly remembered by anyone who had the privilege of sharing dock space with him as a man with extensive marine and mechanical knowledge, a love of literature and dark rum, a master of grilling meat and roasting oysters, and a remarkably good whistler and dancer.

Preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Alyce Bowman, and brother Christopher Bowman, all of Burlington, Mike is survived by his daughters, Rachel Lynn Bowman of Marathon, Florida, Ginger Leigh McCall of Las Vegas, Nevada, and long-time love and devoted first mate Margery Garrabrant of Wilmington, NC.

In the spirit of Mikes respect and love for all ocean creatures, his family requests that in lieu of flowers or cards, please consider making a donation to the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida, a rescue-and-release facility.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit the family at 2213 Mimosa Place in Wilmington between 4pm and 6pm on Tuesday, February 9th.