Orval Lester Bowman

1933 - 2012

Orval Lester Bowman
May 13, 1933 - August 14, 2012

Words are a poor substitute to describe our anguish due to Orval Lester Bowman leaving us to be with his God and Savior. Lester passed from mortality into immortality August 14, 2012 at the age of 79. With great sadness we attempt to use the futility of words to portray our deepest love for this loving and devoted Husband, Father, Faithful Brother, marvelous Uncle and Grandfather and friend to all.
Lester was born in and grew up in Empire, Calif. Born to Lester Orville Bowman and Evelyn (Keller) Bowman, he and his older sister Connie experienced the Great Depression and later the Great War. He was baptized in the Church of the Brethren. He attended Empire Grammar School. He graduated Modesto High School in 1951 and attended Modesto Junior College for two years, later earning an I.C.S degree in chemistry. He built a shortwave radio and earned his Ham operator's license and later worked for Ray's Radio. He studied law and real estate. Lester was a mail carrier for the city of Modesto for 20 years. Later he and wife Sharon opened up Collectors Corner and together built a successful antiques business.
In 1957, he married his lifelong sweetheart Sharon Bowers and together for the next 55 years beat as one heart and became our example of how to live life. Taught to think for ourselves we chose their way, love and truth. Never forced but taught to seek, love and truth for these things never perish. To desire and devote our lives to things of eternal value, to disdain the values of the world and to devote our hearts to the pearl of great price.
There was never a moment Lester wasn't learning or teaching. He loved music, art and things of integrity. Before Retinitis pigmentosa caused complete blindness, he painted in oils and became an extraordinary artist. He loved photography and saw beauty even in the shadows. For 30 years he lived in darkness ... but always remained the guiding light in our family.
He passed into eternity quietly in his sleep so we too could follow his footsteps. He leaves behind Sharon, his beloved and cherished wife of 55 years, whose heart is forever intertwined in his. His children Lester, Kathy, Gordon, Diane, Elizabeth and John will miss him severely. His grandchildren Jacob, Rachel, Anthony, Stephanie, Joshua, Naomi, Mattie, Bobby, Jamie, William, Tina, Kati, Kimmie and Deantha loved him beyond measure and forever will treasure his beauty and wisdom. He leaves behind 11 great-grandchildren and enumerable friends. He leaves his sister Connie, whom he adored along with her children Cindy, Stephanie and Donna, plus their children Callie, Kate and Zachery. He dearly treasured his niece Michelle and nephew Glenn and his grandnieces Olivia,Virginia and Rebecca Rose. He is the heart and patriarch of our family and though gone he lives … because love cannot die nor be quenched when we sleep in the shadow of the cross.
We desire to honor our Mother's truest love and our patriarch in a celebration of life at 11 a.m. Sept. 1 at Free Methodist Church, 1520 Rose Ave., Modesto.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Lester's memory to the "Glenn Mochel/Virginia Mochel Donation Fund" at any Safe Credit Union or mailed to Safe Credit Union, 2105 Town Center Plaza , Suite F100, West Sacramento, CA 95691.
Please share your memories and condolences at www.allenmortuary.com.
 
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