Larry Collins Bowman

16 years ago, I came home with a special souvenir from a wonderful cruise traveling on the Crystal Symphony to Southeast Asia. A special one, one that would forever define me as a person and would bring a unique meaning to the rest of my life. Not one of those souvenirs that ends up in a closet somewhere, forgotten and never to be touched again. No, this souvenir is one people live their entire lives searching for and I was fortunate enough to find it on a tour bus in Beijing, China. I met someone who has forever touched my life and who became my dear friend. Someone who enjoyed cruising as much as I did, someone who enjoyed talking college football (especially his beloved Crimson Tide), someone who enjoyed playing trivia or just sitting around the Crystal Symphony Bistro talking and laughing about anything and everything. And I will forever remember our last time together at Logan Airport in Boston as I came to the airport to spend the afternoon in the International terminal sharing time and stories with my dear friend as he was waiting for his connection to Lisbon to catch up to the Crystal Symphony on his way to another of his passions .....cruising. I was glad I was able to catch up with him and spend nearly five enjoyable hours, as I knew he was struggling with his health and unsure of how many more opportunities I would have to share a toast with my friend.

My friend had a passion and zest for life. He was one of the brightest, most decent and kind human beings I had ever met. He was a friend people dream of having, but more importantly an even better man. Someone who would give the shirt off his back if need be....or his only antibiotic Z pak prescription to help me get back up on my feet to enjoy the rest of the China cruise.

I will always think of him whenever I hear the dulcet tones of Louis Armstrong singing "What a Wonderful World" whether while on the Crystal Symphony (his favorite ship) as it sails away from another exotic port around the world or hearing it on TV or the radio. This remembrance will forever bring me to him for the rest of my life along with our last cruise together...our pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2019....what a special cruise to end our travels on!

So whenever I am reminded of him, I will take a moment and remember the love and friendship we shared. I will take a moment and recognize that he will always be my dearest friend. I will take that moment to think of our past, and our many fun times together. I won't hurry through these moments, I will take my time and enjoy our many great memories. I know I will find that our love and friendship will last for eternity. That moment will continue to allow me to believe that the special Larry Bowman souvenir I picked up 16 years ago in China will remain close to my heart forever and will never leave me.

He may be gone. But he will never die. I will miss my friend and I will love and remember our time together, forever.

Rest in Peace Larry

Joe DiCorpo

Much sympathy and prayers to the Bowman Family from the Gilmore Family in Oklahoma. Jan Gilmore Loftis

Much sympathy Joanne to you and your whole family

Jim and Bowman family, sorry to hear of Larry's passing. Knowing he had a radiant faith, I am remined of these words- "I shall fear not, for this is my time, and into the very presence of Almighty God my soul shall fly. " Rest in Peace".
-Eric Shrieves

My Dear friend Larry Bowman! I will miss you on earth but I know you are in the presence of God. We met on board Crystal Cruises, which was a great organization.
Our friendship grew and you opened your home to me and to my wife Cindy many times.
I treasure the friendship and our life is so much richer knowing you.
The photo is of you and Cindy in Norway, on July 23, 2010.
Thank you for your generosity, kindness, shared prayers, and the best recipe ever for a BLT sandwich!
To all those who knew Larry, they knew kindness personified!

Much love to those who also loved you.

Mark Sherwood Merchant

Dear Bowman family, I am so sad to hear of Larry´s passing. I met Larry in the late 1980 at a Hallmark convention. We had such fun times together and many years of visiting in Tampa and in Dallas. He always spoke so proudly about his daughters and brothers. I will miss sending him funny hallow/birthday cards.
May your wonderful memories give you comfort. In prayer, Gayle Mudge Horton

First at Forest Lake Baptist in Tuscaloosa. I was a child. They were a lovely family.
Then with my mother looking at furniture. He would bring out furniture to try out pieces. Great customer service. Somewhere in there was Mrs. Bowman too. She was so pretty and very sweet.
Larry was kind and so easy to work with.
From time to time, we would stop by the store to browse.
I also knew his father. He was friends with my grandfather too. Hunting, fishing. Mr. Bowman's early death sent shockwaves through our church. Such a big loss.
As the family closed down the furniture store and spread out, they were truly missed in Tuscaloosa.
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Larry.
Praying for all of his family and friends.

Jim, my heart and prayers go out to you. I pray you find comfort in your memories and in the peace of Christ. God bless you, my dear friend!
Linda Birchall