Randolph "Lefty" Bowe

Negro Baseball Leaguer, Deacon

Randolph "Lefty" Bowe, age 97, most recently of Elmwood Gardens Nursing Home, was called to eternal rest by his Lord and Savior on July 19, 2016, surrounded by his family. He was born on December 18, 1918, in Amandaville, Kentucky, and was the son of the late Georgia Boles.

Randolph was a former Negro Leaguer, nicknamed "Lefty" because he was a hard throwing, left-handed pitcher who pitched for the Kansas City Monarchs (1938-1939), Chicago American Giants (1939-1940), and the Indianapolis Clowns (1940).

He played the game very well, and was offered a contract with the Chicago White Sox in the 1940s, years before Jackie Robinson ever became a household name. He was able to see a lot of the country, some good, more bad. He wouldn't trade his time in the Negro Leagues, but he decided he wanted nothing more to do with the still largely segregated major leagues.

Segregated America meant he and his teammates had to take their meals to the back door of the restaurants, heard the catcalls and felt the angry stares. His ethnicity was unique, as his mother was African American and his father Caucasian. Some Americans of mixed ancestry with fair skin, as he had, in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries used the term "passing" to deny their African American heritage, but not Lefty!! He was proud to be African American and how proud his family was of him not to compromise who he was, and what he stood for. He could never understand the bigotry or racism in America, although it affected him directly, he never became bitter and would always find the good in everyone. This is the legacy he leaves for his family!!

He loved baseball but never dwelt on where it might have taken him. He would always say "I've had a good life." His name seldom surfaced amid stories about all the former Negro League players who settled in Erie, but he preferred it that way. But baseball didn't forget Lefty Bowe. His memorabilia is in the Negro League Baseball Hall of Fame and his name appears in Buck O'Neill's biography, "I was right on time." The self-described "country boy" from rural Kentucky served as a young man in the Civilian Conservation Corp. When he moved his family to Erie, he worked at the Sterling Seal Company, A.O. Smith and retired from Hammermill Paper Company one week before the mill was sold to International Paper Company.

In the game of baseball he was a heavy hitter, but it was in the game of life that he scored major home-runs in the form of his wife and three children, and his faith in God. He served many selfless years as a deacon of the Cornerstone Liberty Community Church (formerly Bethlehem Temple). He exemplified Colossians 3:12 – "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." He had a kind word for everyone, and the love of God flowed from his heart. He never complained. His gentle spirit and big smile were always encouraging – making you feel right at home. He loved to laugh and he would often be caught with a twinkle in his eye as he talked or shared stories. His facial expressions would make you laugh and show the mischief in his eyes. Not a day would go by without him letting you know "God is good. He blesses us every day." He was full of the joy of the Lord, and he shared that joy with all who entered his life.

Besides his mother and sister, he was preceded in death by his loving wife Fannie Laura Bowe, and daughters Georgianne Kinnard and Pamela Ford.

To celebrate his homegoing, he leaves the following: daughter Priscilla "Pat" Woodard (Richard), eight grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.

In word and deed he lived Acts 20:24 – "But I do not account my life of any value . . . if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." Lefty has crossed home plate and God has declared him "Safe!" He finished his earthly course, but his legacy of love and faith will live on for generations. God is good, Lefty. All the time.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Sandra Vactor and the Cornerstone Church family for their support and prayers, and deep gratitude to Chris Zimmerman, Director of Nursing at Elmwood Gardens, and to all of the skilled nursing staff for the excellent care and love shown to our beloved Lefty Bowe.

Homegoing services will be held at the Burton Wintergreen Funeral Home, 2532 Norcross Road, Erie, Pa., on Saturday, July 23, 2016, for the viewing from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service there at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be in Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to the charity of one's choice. Send condolences at www.Burtonfuneralhome.com.

Portions of this obituary were taken from the Erie Times-News Sport article entitled "Quiet Bowe has Story Worth Telling" in the December 18, 2008 edition.

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