Gerald Wayne “Bow” Bowman, 89, died Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008 at Labette Health, Parsons.

He was born June 6, 1919 at Mound Valley, a son of Selden and Hazel Clark Bowman. He was raised in Mound Valley and attended school there. In 1938 he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served most of his tour of duty aboard the U.S.S. New Orleans. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 when the Japanese attacked. Following his discharge he returned to Parsons. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1950 and served with the 930th Ordnance Company in Korea. He was discharged in 1952 and again returned to Parsons. From 1955 until his retirement in 1982 he operated Bowman Electric Service in Parsons.

On Feb. 3, 1942 he was united in marriage to Dorothy Cottengim at Gardnerville, Nev. She preceded him in death on Oct. 6, 2004.

Bow was a long-time and active member of the First Baptist Church at Parsons and the Builders Sunday School Class. He was also a life member of the Brown-Bishop Post No. 704, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. He also belonged to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He stayed active in the 930th Ordnance Co. and enjoyed attending their reunions.

Survivors include: One daughter and son-in-law, Barbara Diane and Don Ribbeck, Chanute; two sons, Jerry Lee Bowman, and wife, Gina, Parsons, Stephen Joe Bowman, Chanute; a half-brother, Bill Bowman, Oswego; a half-sister, Donna Mae Blancett, Chesapeake Bay, Va.; a stepsister, Betty Myers, Coffeyville; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother Marguerite Bowman; and his sister, Madonna Jamison.

Funeral service is scheduled 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Joe Hyde officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery with military honors given by the Brown-Bishop Post No. 704, Veterans of Foreign Wars. The family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. this evening at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, and may be left or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357.