Marrs McLean Bowman

Marrs McLean Bowman was born on January 2, 1943 in San Antonio, Texas to Ruth McLean Bowman Bowers and John Tibaut Bowman, Jr., and died on June 30, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. McLean received his education beginning with the Elliott School at St. Mary’s Hall, and continuing at the San Antonio Academy, Culver Military Institute, St. Stephens Episcopal School, Edison High School, Schreiner Institute, and Texas Military Institute, where he graduated in 1961. McLean was an exceptional athlete and played football during his school years through high school. McLean attended Baylor University, where he was a member of the Taurus Fraternity (now Beta Theta Pi) and graduated with a bachelor’s degree with a dual major in history and English. McLean was a member of the Baylor swim team, his specialty being the butterfly. He was also a competitive weight lifter, winning his weight division every year at Baylor. He received a post-graduate Ranching Certificate from the TCU Ranch Management Program, following which he worked in the management training program at Frost Bank.

McLean was a fifth generation Texan with a colorful ancestry, including officers in the Civil War and World War II. His grandfathers were notable Texans. John Tibaut Bowman was a successful businessman, entrepreneur, and civic leader in Austin, and also served as Secretary of State of Texas. Marrs McLean was a storied Texas wildcatter whose second-stage discovery at Spindletop was larger than the original Spindletop wells, and McLean continued this tradition by managing his oil and gas holdings.

McLean owned and operated several ranches in Texas, and his love for the land and the outdoors was profound. He was a lifelong conservationist and outdoorsman, being named as Texas Outdoorsman Of The Year in 2015. McLean was a noted and enthusiastic hunter, going on his first African safari after graduating from high school, and he continued that tradition throughout his life. He hunted and fished all over the world and holds several world records and many beautiful trophies.

McLean Bowman was a Texas legend, one of the most generous, loving, and loved men in Texas and beyond. His sense of humor and storytelling are legendary. He had a deep love and affection for his devoted wife, Missie, who was the love of his life, and for his daughter, Marrs, and his step-daughters, Marianne and Camille, as well as for his large extended family. He was a devoted husband and father, and he dearly loved his five sisters, Bonnie, Ruthie, Beth, Margaret, and Barbara.

Among McLean’s many interests was his love of nature and God’s creatures. He was happiest when among the big deer on his Sugarland Ranch or deftly throwing a lure next to a lily pad at Paint Creek. McLean co-founded and was the first President of the Texas Wildlife Association, which united Texas landowners and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to preserve and protect our great Texas ranch heritage.

McLean was a lifetime student of Texas history and a serious collector of historical memorabilia, art, and artifacts, including a noted arrowhead collection. He donated important works of art, and was a patron of the Briscoe Western Art Museum, where he served from inception as a founding Director at the personal request of Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe. His philanthropy extended also to significant gifts in memory of his beloved daughter, Marrs, to Christus Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital, Texas Biomedical Research Institute and The Argyle, and Texas Wildlife Association, among many others.

McLean was a member of the Texas Order of St. Hubertus, The Argyle, San Antonio Country Club, the Order of the Alamo, the German Club, the Texas Wildlife Association, the Boone and Crockett Club, and Safari Club International.

McLean was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Marrs, and his sister, Margaret Bowman McMahon. He is survived by his beloved wife, Marianne “Missie” Ponder Bowman, his step-daughters, Marianne Malek and Camille Malek, son-in-law, William C. “Will” Egger, III, and step-son Casey Tennison, He loved and was close to his five sisters, four of whom survived him: Bonnie Bowman Korbell (John), Ruth Bowman Russell (John), Beth Bowman Harper (Michael), and Barbara Bowman. He is also survived by a large and loving family including many cousins and these nephews and nieces: John C. “Jay” Korbell, Jr., Katherine Brown, Caroline Carrington, John William Russell, III, McLean Douglas Russell, Michael D. “Miguel” Harper, Jr., Corrie Mauldin Foster, Bowman McLean McMahon, Shaw Farnham McMahon, and Dylan Cox.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 3:00 pm at Christ Episcopal Church, 510 Belknap Place. The family will gather later for a private graveside service at Paint Creek Ranch. Honorary pallbearers for McLean Bowman are his legion of much-loved and fiercely loyal friends, too numerous to list.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Texas Wildlife Association, The Briscoe Western Art Museum, or Christus Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital.