Jack Owen Bowman

Jack Owen Bowman was born on October 4, 1934, in Kernersville, NC, to Clarence Bowman and Kate Wood Bowman. His family soon moved to Morrisville, NC, where he grew up. As a youth, Jack earned his spending money by mowing lawns, working with tobacco, and picking cotton, which was often used to buy movie tickets and school clothes. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his father, a lay minister, and played baseball throughout his childhood.

At the age of 17, and prior to finishing high school, he decided to join the United States Navy, and the war in Korea. He was first stationed at San Diego Naval Base where he did basic training. After joining the fleet, he was stationed at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on a Destroyer Escort and later a Carrier where he received the National Defense Service Medal which is only given during wartime. He spent time learning trades in the Navy and was Honorably Discharged after being offered a spot in Officer Candidate School.

After completing his service with the Navy, he married Helen Clark on November 26, 1955, marking the beginning of their nearly 70-year union. He was subsequently accepted into the Charlotte Police Department, where he demonstrated exceptional performance throughout the Police Academy. During his distinguished 32-year tenure, he advanced from Patrolman to Commander and participated in a comprehensive range of assignments, including Larceny, Homicide, Narcotics, and various special units such as undercover operations. His youthful appearance and quick wit enabled him to conduct effective undercover operations targeting prostitution and illegal activities within clubs and other establishments throughout Charlotte.

He furthered his expertise by attending numerous professional development programs, including the renowned polygraph school in New York, NY and the FBI school in Kentucky, where he received an offer to join the FBI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from UNC Charlotte and later contributed to the academic community by teaching Criminology at Central Piedmont Community College. In addition to his police duties, he worked as a security guard for retail establishments.

As part of his responsibilities, he frequently appeared in court as a witness in trials involving individuals he had arrested, where he encountered several significant figures, including members of the Hells Angels, Mongols and other gangs. Over the course of his career, Jack progressed through the department’s ranks and ultimately retired as a Commander.

Jack enjoyed beach trips, ocean fishing, and watching John Wayne films. His favorite activities included playing Gin, reading, and backgammon. He was a member of Mount Lebanon Baptist Church, where he especially loved singing and listening to the choir until hearing loss intervened.

He was predeceased by his daughter Helen “Gwen” Bowman & Granddaughter Courtney Gwen Davis of Midland, NC, siblings, and parents.

Jack is survived by his wife Helen Clark Bowman, his daughter Gale Sperry and her husband Jay Sperry of Monroe, NC, grandsons Jason Sperry of Monroe, NC and Troy Hunt of Midland, NC. Grandson and Grand Daughter-in-Law Cory & Stephanie Hunt of Charlotte, NC, great-grandchildren Jasmine, Jackson, Shea, Samuel, Gabriel, and his precious Great-great-granddaughter Luna.

His warmth, humor, problem-solving skills, laughter, and unique unwavering courage will be remembered forever surviving in time through the lives he has touched.