Hardie Bowman

(03/21/2003) Hardie Bowman January 5, 1925 - March 20, 2003 Born in Austin on January 5, 1925, to Grace Booty and Thornton Hardie Bowman Jr., Thornton Hardie Bowman III died on March 20, 2003, of complications of asthma. He attended Pease School and graduated from Austin High School in 1942. Serving in World War II, THB attended V-12 at Texas Christian University and served aboard the landing craft USS Tabaro in the Pacific Theatre in 1945-46. Graduating with a Business Administration degree in 1948 from the University of Texas he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Mr. Bowman enjoyed a 23-year career as an account executive with Merrill Lynch, with a career to follow as a financial advisor. Surviving Hardie is his loving wife of 54 years, Nancy Price Bowman; his three children, Thornton Hardie Bowman IV (Tee) and wife, Jeanne of Corpus Christi, William Clift Bowman and Sally Bowman of Austin. Grandchildren are Thornton Hardie Bowman V (Bo) and Beth of Austin, Brandon Bowman of San Antonio, Kelly Bowman and Kate Bowman of Corpus Christi. Also surviving are brothers-in-law, Dr. Clift Price and wife, Sue and Bill Price and wife, Marinette; and seven nieces and nephews. Mr. Bowman greatly enjoyed serving his beloved Austin community in various ways. A resident of West Lake Hills for 41 years, he was involved in the conversion of Eanes School from a Travis County school to the beginning of the Eanes School District in 1960, serving as president of the Eanes School Board from 1962-65. As deacon and elder of West Lake Hills Presbyterian Church, he oversaw the fundraising for a new sanctuary in 1980. He particularly enjoyed being a fundraiser for Meals on Wheels in their infancy. Of heartfelt interest to him always was helping the homeless at the Salvation Army and feeding the poor through other charitable groups. His family valued their long Austin heritage. His great-great-grandmother, Margaret Hewgley Hamilton, who was born in Virginia in 1781, married in 1799 by Bishop Francis Asbury of the Methodist Church, came with her children from Tennessee in 1851 via the Natchez Trace and is buried in Austin. Hardie is the sixth generation member of his family to be a proud Austin citizen. His grandfather, Thornton Hardie Bowman I, served as Secretary of State under Governor Richard Coke in 1874. Hardie and his family have particularly treasured their time at their ``country place'' in Dripping Springs and the friends they made there. A private family burial will be held Saturday morning, March 22nd, with a memorial celebration of Hardie's life to be held at Tarrytown Methodist Church at 12:00 noon, followed by a luncheon. If desired, memorial gifts may be made to your favorite charity or to the Bowman Scholarship Fund, Austin Community College, 5930 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin, TX 78752. Arrangements by Weed-Corley- Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar, Austin, TX 78705 - (512) 452-8811