John L. Bowman

QUEENSBURY John L. Bowman, 86, of state Route 149, Queensbury, passed away peacefully at his home Tuesday morning, Nov. 6, 2007, with his family by his side, following a brief illness. Born July 3, 1921, in Greenfield Center, N.Y., he was the son of the late John and Catherine (Gray) Bowman. Following graduation from Glens Falls High School, Class of 1942, John entered into the United States Army Air Force, serving his country for over three years during World War II, spending two of those years in Europe as an intelligence specialist. After being honorably discharged Oct. 24, 1945, John completed the Veteran's Vocational School in Troy and was then recruited by Warren County Clerk Sydney VanDusen to serve as deputy county clerk. Upon Mr. VanDusen's retirement, John ran for the position of county clerk, serving the elected position for 15 years before retiring himself. John then went on to work for the Queensbury Country Club and D'ella Auto Group. During the '70s, John enjoyed competitive trail riding with his faithful horse, Black Beauty, who served with him in the Warren County Sheriff's Mounted Patrol. Some of his favorite pastimes included camping, snowmobile riding and family day trips, especially treasured time spent with his grandchildren and spoiling his cat, Pixie. Besides his parents, John was predeceased by all seven of his siblings; four brothers, Otis, Howard, Ralph, and Earl Bowman; and three sisters, Lillian Fisher, Edith Collier and Myrtle Bowman. Survivors include his loving wife of 59 years, Edith Lucas Bowman of Queensbury; one daughter, Nancy Newbern and her partner, David Brennan, of Queensbury; one son, Brian J. Bowman of Glen Lake; one grandson, Tristan L. Verra of Queensbury; one granddaughter, Aspen Star Forman of Fort Edward; niece and nephew, Amy and Brian Smith and grandniece, Rosalie Smith of South Glens Falls; three sisters-in-law, Eleanore Bowman, Margaret Lucas and Charlotte Bowman, all of Queensbury; several nieces and nephews and many dear friends. Friends may call upon the family Thursday evening, Nov. 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury. A funeral service will be held Friday, Nov. 9, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Lamont Robinson, pastor of Harrisena Community Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Pine View Cemetery, Quaker Road, Queensbury. A gathering will be held at the Adirondack Bar and Grill, at the corner of Route 149 and Ridge Road, Queensbury, following the burial. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Warren County branch of High Peaks Hospice and their partner, Greater Adirondack Home Aids for their gentle and loving care of John and his family. Donations, in loving memory of John, may be made to High Peaks Hospice, 667 Bay Road Suite 1, Queensbury, NY 12804 or to the SPCA of Upstate NY P.O. Box 171, Hudson Falls, NY 12839.