Obituary of Jack Bowman

BOWMAN, JACK 

Jack “JB” was 86 when The Lord called him home on April 6, 2023.  He was born in Erie, PA but grew up in Waterford, PA.  Right out of high school he joined the U.S. Marine Corps where he was a wheeled vehicle mechanic.  That fed his love of owning a multitude of cars/trucks to drive and a close buddy got him collecting toy models of “anything with wheels.” 

When he got out of the service he went home to PA and after a few years of shoveling snow he moved to St. Pete around 1962.  His mother, Esther Bowman and father Clair Bowman, who predeceased him, moved to St Pete several years later.  

Jack worked at Bert Smith when he got to St Pete and ran his own lawn service.  Then around 1966 he began his 10-year law enforcement career as a dispatcher with the Florida Highway Patrol.  Jack left the Highway Patrol and was hired in 1976 as a Deputy with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.   

When he retired in 1995 he took a couple years to not live on a schedule and spend time with friends in PA. Soon he longed to be back with fellow officers so in 2005 he Volunteered with the St Petersburg Police Department where he loved being in the Road Patrol unit he retired for health reasons.  He was very close with Ron Wolfson and enjoyed kibitzing with his partners and the office staff.   

Jack’s biggest commitment and joy was serving on the Board of Directors of the Pinellas Federal Credit Union for 29 years because of the friendship and like-minded Directors/Officers he served with growing the credit union.  Jack was highly regarded and reelected as Chairman of the Board for 20+ years.   

Jack knew no strangers!  He loved to laugh and make faces to make others laugh.  He could be sarcastic but in a nice way.  His goal throughout his life was to help, serve, protect, and just be a friend to those he met.   

He was president, treasurer and a member for many, many years in Sunshine City Kiwanis, with a special place in his heart for the Key Club members who aspired to serve their community.  He also mentored students in various public schools in St. Pete through Young Children Priority One.  

He worked as an associate with Anderson McQueen for many years.   He was a member of Knights of Pythias who still sponsors Scholarships for SPC students.  He was a member and supported Nitram Lodge #188. He served as treasurer for the FL Farm Bureau for several years. 

No grass grew under Jack’s feet.  His involvement with the credit union, the road patrol, the Kiwanis club and Anderson McQueen were simultaneous over many years.   

JB is survived by his wife of 40 years, Charlene; his brother-in-law Les Zepp; niece Cheryl Banda, nephews Terry Phelps, Kevin Phelps, Randy Phelps and, Jack was especially fond of and close to his great-neice Tara (Scott) Stewart. His sister Justine Phelps passed away in 2020.   

He loved his Liberty Baptist Church family deeply and volunteered to help in fundraisers and children’s programs.  He worked diligently and recruited members to help with an annual Breakfast at the Park in Lake Seminole for many years.  He was a faithful Greeter on Sunday mornings for young adults, teens and he had a special fondness for children, many who would come and give him a big hug around his legs.  The glorious music of the choir, Pastor Bob’s playing, and Karen’s beautiful voice warmed his heart.  He and Charlene also loved the fellowship during annual Wisdom Warrior road trips.   

Jack’s sporting event was bowling in a league for 18 years on Thurs and Sun nights where he met Charlene in 1982.  He later served as President and Charlene was Secy/Treasurer all those years.  They traveled to different states, as far as St. Louis, MO, with dear friends/teammates to compete in tournaments.   

He liked to fish with friends in the gulf, lakes in Lakeland and Watson’s Fish Camp.  But, the only fish he brought home was mounted as the 2nd largest on record from Lake Parker in 1989.  

Jack looked forward to Thanksgiving week when he joined his father-in-law, Frank, and a bunch of guys in West VA to hunt.  “The guys” hunted early in the morning while Frank and Jack slept in, then Frank went to hunt and Jack got his camera to hunt with from his treestand.  He enjoyed being in the woods surrounded by the river and mountains.   

My cherished husband, JB, was a Christian, loving, fun, “Mr. fix-it” at home, collector of “things.” He was compassionate, on-the-go, the love-of-my-life.  We were blessed to be able to take our 5th-wheel RV to spend time at friends’ places, attend Kiwanis conferences and credit union conferences in various states but we also enjoyed “just being at home.”  College football season, however, announced our “house divided” when I display our Seminole/Gator flag on the front porch. 

On Monday, April 24, 2023 family and friends can share memories from 4:00–5:30 p.m. and we’ll Celebrate Jack’s well-lived life at 5:30 p.m. at Anderson McQueen Funeral Home, 2201 Dr MLK Street North, St Petersburg, FL 33704.  The family is having a private interment. 

Memorial donations for Jack can be made payable to Liberty Baptist Church and mailed to 9401 4th Street North, St Petersburg, FL 33702 or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or mail to 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 

Psalm 116:15  “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” 

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