Louis "Uncle Don" Bowman

Louis Donald “Uncle Don” Bowman passed away on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas at the age of 81. He was born on May 7, 1936 in Uncas, Oklahoma to the late Lewis and Winona Jeanette (Anson) Bowman. He grew up in the Codell, Kansas area and graduated from Codell Rural High School with the Class of 1954. Don was a hardworking man who enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. He spent his life in the oilfield working in production and services. He loved entertaining family and friends, and was a strong supporter of the annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration in Codell. He was an avid karaoke fan, enjoyed traveling, and stopping at an occasional casino. He was privileged to be selected as Codell Postmaster in 1971 where he faithfully served until retiring in 1992. In his spare time, Don maintained a vegetable garden, an orchard, and was an accomplished cook. He was a patriotic American as depicted by the memorial monument in the Shiloh Cemetery honoring the four branches of the military. He also served for many years on the Board of Directors for Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas. Don is survived by his brother William F. “Bill” Bowman and wife Marlene of Natoma; nieces and nephews Mike Bowman and wife Tam of Plainville, Don Bowman and wife Mary of Codell, Carrie Kooken of Stilwell, Melanie Livingston and husband Todd of La Grande, OR, Jessica Hawkins-Kimmel and husband Andrew of Longmont, CO, and Susan Owens and husband Brian of Leavenworth; and twenty-one great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Lewis and Winona Bowman, brother Paul H. Bowman, and niece Tina Sue Bowman. Uncle Don was a man of passion and drive who never let anything stand in his way, not even a wheelchair. His love of, and service to, his family, friends, and community knew no bounds. He taught us by his daily example that a dream does not become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00am on Monday, February 12, 2018 at the United Methodist Church in Plainville. Burial will follow at the Shiloh Cemetery near Codell. Visitation will be from 2:00-8:00pm on Sunday at the funeral home with family receiving friends from 6:00-8:00pm.