Ray Matthew Bowman

Ray Matthew Bowman ‘Matt’ was born October 24, 1973 in Washington D.C., he passed away unexpectedly on May 27, 2017 in Phoenix Arizona where he had moved back for the second time in 2015. Matt spent much of his youth moving around the country with his family. He made hundreds of friends along the way, many of whom are still his friends today. He had a passion for music, his voice was amazing. He graduated from Martin Luther College (formerly DMLC) in 1995 with his bachelors in education and minor in music. He was a member of the choir and was in lead roles in musicals while he was there. He continued his graduate studies in music at Minnesota State University at Mankato (formerly Mankato State). He traveled all over Europe as a soloist in their elite choir. Through Matt’s life he continued to love music and the entertainment industry (Housewives of anywhere, anything on Bravo) and while pursuing his passions, he most currently loved working at Durants, where he intended to pass the second Sommelier test. Matt had an amazing sense of humor and could fill any room with laughter. Matt was also passionate about Human and LGBT rights. He went through his fair share of discrimination and was treated poorly by some who should have loved him. He supported the Democratic party fiercely and was a contributor to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Matt was loved and is terribly missed by those he left behind. He was preceded in death by all of his grandparents, and his sister Kerry Trowbridge. Matt is survived by his loving parents Ms.Diane Bowman and Ray Bowman (Sabre); his sisters Linda Bowman, Debra Buteau (Marco), Ruth Bowman (Patricia Breen); five beautiful nieces, Terah Buteau, Sabrina Buteau (Chris Davis), Jaci Buteau (Mike Bruce), Kyle Bowman, and Chelsea Bowman; his Uncle Robert Wright and Aunts Delores Faules and Adele Threadgill; along with four cousins, Daniel Faules, Denise Joyce, David Wright, and Christian Wright. A memorial will be held at Grace Lutheran 1124 N 3rd Street Phoenix, AZ 85004 at 11am on Thursday June 8, 2017, he will be laid to rest in Washington D.C. at Ft. Lincoln Cemetery 3401 Bladensburg Road Brentwood Maryland 20722 at a time yet to be determined. In honor of Matt, please make donation to the ACLU.