Marcus William Bowman

Janis Gray, FHS class of 64. I have discovered thru the years that not everyone had the privilege of taking Driver's Ed in school as we did. We were MOST privileged to be the recipients of Coach Bowman's patient instructions. I have fond memories of the smile on his face after he had me drive down a shell-topped road about a 1/4 of a mile, then back out of it. Thanks, Coach. God bless you.

Mrs. Bowman, I was so shocked to hear of your loss. He was my driving teacher. We had the best time and went everywhere with him. I have often wondered through the years how he and his family were doing. He was one of those people you never forget in your lifetime. He was always laughing and making us laugh at ourselves when we did something really stupid. I had the privilage of driving with just about all of our class with him. I remember going and picking up you oldest daughter from school and taking him to get a haircut. What fun! I know that you will miss him but you are the lucky one to have had him as a mate. I know this is a very sad time for you and your family. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. I feel lucky to be one of the ones that he taught to drive. He probably went home everyday and wondered what he had gotten into. Know that he is in God's hands and there he should be.
Janie Henslee Landrum

We lost a true friend of ours and a wonderful guy who was known throughout Lumberton for all the good things he did.He was a role model of a husband, father, teacher, coach, and community leader . Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time of sadness and loss. We regret that we were out of town and missed Marc's memorial service. All our love and prayers, Wayne & Laurie

My deepest sympathy to Frances and daughters. Marc Bowman was a wonderful man with a great smile and a wonderful laugh to go with it . I, like so many others, was lucky enough to have him as my driving teacher. He played an important role in the lives of so many people, and I do believe he remembered each and every one. Thank you, Frances, for the wonderful care you gave him over the years. Your care enabled us all to enjoy visiting with him at our class reunions. You and he were a big part of our reunions, and I hope that you will continue to attend them. He will truly be missed by so many. My prayers to you and your family. Jerry

I'm so sorry I wasn't able to attend the service for Coach Bowman. Please, know I was there in spirit as my thoughts and prayers are with all the family. I will always remember the sound of his voice coming from the press box. It was such a familiar and safe sound that was so much apart of all I loved growing up in Lumberton. My Love to All, Cheryl Sheffield McCown - LHS Class '75

Coach Bowman will be missed by many,so many hearts and souls he touched and guided, mine being one of those that had the honor to have had him in my life...He taught me so much about life and taught me to drive, to rake his baseball field at French High,lol...What a man ,he never met a stranger..
God Bless you Coach Bowman and God Bless your family....
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES !!!!!!!!!!
Jimmy Hester

Francis, Marcia, Cindy - Sending our prayers and deepest sympathy in the loss of your husband and father.

All that met Marcus loved him as a caring person, a Godly man with a strong love for his family.

We will continue to keep all in prayers.

James & Eileen Tindall, Tracy Tindall Barnett

I'm really sorry to hear of Coach Bowman passing. He was one of the best.

Coach bowman was a wonderful man

God bless you and his peace will sustain you.

I will miss you..you were such a kind man and you made me feel so welcome as a new student at lumberton..I will never forget you.

It's been a sad week for the French High School Family. Coach Bowman was such a great person. I lived near Coach Bowman and he would always stop and give me a ride (in the Driver's Ed Car) to school on those rainy and cold mornings. He always made me feel more like a son rather than a student. Oh how I remember the questions: "How are you doing in class? What's your grades look like? How's your family? Got any girl friends?" He will be missed!!

Larry Harvey, West Columbia, SC
French High School, Class of 1960

I met Mr. Bowman in 1972 while a DECA student at Lumberton High. He gave of himself freely, by supporting each of us towards a successful career. Thank you for sharing your husband and father with all 'his' students. Please know I appreciate the efforts Mr. Bowman put forth to guide and teach with kindness and respect.

Good man, great memories, a worthy legacy for family and friends...

Francis and Family
Our hearts go out to you all during this time. You are in our prayers. Marcus was so loved by his students and us neighbors. I know when he arrived in Heaven his Father turned to him and said"Well done my good and faithful servant". He will surely be missed. I think he taught All seven Thornton kids that we sent to Lumberton. I am glad Andy will be at the gate to welcome him home. We love you Francis and even if we aren't neighbors anymore remember we are here for you.
Love
Jimmy and Debbie Thornton

We are so very sorry for your loss, Marcus was a great guy. Very geniune and always helpful to us during the years that Nader was a young agent. He was very positive and upbeat. I know he was a good husband and a very proud dad and granddad. Our prayers are for your family at this time.

Coach Bowman was truly one of the greatest men I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. He will be tremendously missed by all those who knew and loved him!!
Kathi Hill

Mrs. Bowman and family,

I am so sorry hear of Mr. Bowman's passing. He was such an amazing man, and I know I do not have to tell you that. I am so glad that I had gotten to know him throughout my school years and then later in my life to get to know you both as a couple. I know how much he adored you and his family. He will be greatly missed. I still miss your mom! (I am the one that worked at Dr. Lee's, if you didn't recognize the name). You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers!

I had the pleasure of a visit with Coach Bowman and his wife last Spring. Donnie Landrum and I stopped by after a funeral. I'm so happy that I took the opportunity.
In high school, I wasn't the most atheletic of my class as I was either too small or too light or too uncoordinated to do much good, but, I got somewhat taller and bigger in later life. I'll always remember Coach coming up to me at a class reunion and asking "Where were you when I needed you?"

Frances, we loved Marc so and he will be missed greatly. God bless you and the girls and the grandchildren during this sorrowful time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you for God's comfort and peace. I no longer drive and Donnie isn't able to drive far, so we will be there in spirit.

Thanks, coach Bowman. Rest in Peace.

Frances, we will all miss "Coach"! He has been a part of my life nearly all my life. Grad of 1959, Carol Preuett Dumatrait.
cdumatrait@sbcglobal.net

Mr. Bowman was one of the kindest and most respected men I have ever met. My prayers and deepest sympathy to his friends and family.

Sending you our warmest thoughts of sympathy, along with fondest memories of a wonderful teacher, coach, and friend to my family.

Few men have a powerful influence on others, Coach Bowman was one of those men. As a coach and friend He holds a special place in my heart.

Special Man, Special Family........many nice memories of visiting, waving while driving around the block, and enjoying the ever present smile. Memories can't be erased like the words on a chalkboard.

Taught many of us to shed the ways of boys and to embrace the ways of men.God's speed coach and ....THANKS .

I was sadden to here of Marcus passing. My thoughts and prayers are with your family

Thoughts and prayers for Mr. Bowman's family. He was one of my favorite teachers. I got the priviledge of going on a school trip to Galveston with him once. We had so much fun. He was such a kind and gentle hearted man. I have thought about him many times over the years since high school. I love and miss you Mr. Bowman!

You will be dearly missed rip

Mrs. Bowman and Family, I am so sorry to hear of your lost. Coach Bowman was one of my favorite teachers. I am so sorry because I will be unable to be at Coach Bowman's service. I will keep you all in my prayers.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I will always have a special place in my heart for Mr. Bowman and Mrs. Bowman. I know he is in a better place....but I will miss him as I know you all will also. He was a very special person inside and out. He will be forever one of Gods special angels he lent us for a time.

I'm very sad to learn of Coach Bowman's passing as he was a special person in my life at FHS. Coach was fun to be around. He was my coach, my friend, my teacher, my drivers ed instructor, and, when I needed it, he was my disciplinarian. I saw Coach at a reunion a few years ago and as I was leaving I waved good bye to him and he shouted "I love you". To which I shouted back "I love you too, Coach". He was one of a kind.

FHS 1960

Thank you for being my coach and teaching me how to be a better person. I also appreciate and respect the years that we served on the LISD School Board. Not only were you a leader but you were a concerned citizen for the children of this district. I also appreciate the many years that I was able to go with you to Lumberton Lion's Club meetings. Your contribution to this community will be forever remembered. You will always be my coach, my friend and mentor. Francis we will aways be here for you and in our prayers.

We were members of the French High class of 1964 and privileged to be students of Mr. Bowman in his Driver's Education class. We will never forget his patience and good humor and sweet nature and friendliness. All of his family are in our prayers and thoughts. Mike and Linda Brown

I had the honor of having Mr. Bowman as my D/E Teacher at Lumberton High School, and of course hearing his voice over the speaker of the Friday Night home games was always memorable. He was a very loving, and caring man, and he treated us students as if we were one of his kids... He will be missed !! My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, especially his daughter Marcia, whom I got to attend school with for a year !! May he rest in peace, and God received a wonderful gentleman in his kingdom !!

What a day to say how thankful I am for having known Coach Bowman. I'll never forget at our 45th reunion how he spoke and even called me by name. Now how in the world could he have remember a name for that many years I'll never know. You'll have to look hard to find another teacher who cared about his "kids" like the coach. He kept up with us for years to come.
You've earned your wings, Coach, and God's been waiting a long time. Bless you Mrs. Bowman. My prayers are with you and your children for your tremendous loss. Nancy (Puckett) Bodden

I was so shocked and saddened to hear about Marc....I only just learned today as we were out of town. He was a great teacher (Drivers Ed back in '62 for me--that was the start of his gray hair I'm sure, as I'd never been behind the wheel of a car before that, in my life!), neighbor--in Village Creek Estates, and friend. I saw him only a few days ago, sitting in his wheelchair at the end of his driveway, and we waved as usual. The neighborhood won't be the same without him!! Jay and I send our love and deepest sympathy to the Bowman family.. Marc will remain forever in our hearts!

Marc Bowman was my friend and mentor. He had such a unique way of encouraging others, even when he was in his weaker moments. Thank you, Frances, for the loving care that you provided him over the years...I am sure that you have a storehouse full of blessings in Heaven. Linda and I are praying that you and your family find peace and comfort during your trying times ahead. Dan & Linda Bell

I had Mr. Bowman for DE at Lumberton High! This man was sweet funny and caring:-) He has left all who knew him with precious memories and was loved by everyone! Prayers for his family.

I was never in one of your classes but do remember you

Coach Bowman was my homeroom teacher for three years and also my Civics teacher. He was a highly respected instructor and a good friend.

Some people light up the world through their beautiful smile in this world. Marcus Bowman was one of those. I consider it a privilege to have known him. My prayers are for his sweet wife, Frances and family.

I will always remember Coach Bowman. He taught us so many things about life.

So many special memories of Coach Bowman I hold in my hert. Until we meet again.

I have been away from Beaumont for over 50 years, but I still remember Coach Bowman and my days at FHS. Thank you for having made my life better. Joe Dugue

Coach Bowman was a brave man to teach Drivers Ed. and put his life in the hands of us teenagers...but I have heard his voice in my head many times over in the last 53 years as I have been driving down a road or coming to a deep curve...I am so thankful I had the honor to learn under his guidance. May happy memories brighten the days ahead and bring you joy and peace.

A memory I have of Coach Bowman was teaching me to drive. I understand from others, he took his life in his hands many times with most all of us and drivers ed. I was behind the wheel and he was on the passenger side and having me drive down Harding Dr. Up ahead was a lady walking and he casually mentioned, Joan, watch out for the lady and go slow. It was as if he had said zero in on that woman ahead as off I drove right at her. He slammed on the brake and as he sat there sweating and the car rocking back and forth said, "What were you thinking?" It was funny later but at that moment he said, 'let's go back to the school, you failed driving today" Ha!! Anyone that knew him loved Coach Bowman and of course his lovely wife Francis. The FHS Class of 1961 in October had the very special privilege of having both of them as guest at their 50TH class reunion. They were given a standing ovation as he smiled and sat in his wheel chair, taking in all the students in the room that his influence touched. It is hard to fathom someone who loved youth, rowdy teenagers, and crazy high schoolers through their difficult years, would still want to be a part of their lives and reunions but he did. When my brother-in-law, Johnnie Flowers was dying of pancreatic cancer and a benefit for him was given, Coach Bowman and Francis were there. I will never forget as Johnnie sat in a wheel chair having just been given a pass from the hospital to come for just one hour, his friends gathered around him. Across the room on a walker Coach Bowman started walking and the closer he got the more his tears fell. As the two grabbed each other and hugged, the scene will always stay vivid in my mind as the teacher and student who loved each other so very much embraced for the last time. Johhnie passed away three days later but the impact of that moment remains. It isn't always you meet a Coach Bowman but it is so very special to be blest with that kind of teacher today for all our youth. God Bless Francis Bowman for sharing throughout their life a man who truly loved his students.

Coach Bowman was a dedicated educated and beloved by all. He touched the lives of so many young people and will never be forgotten.

I am so saddened to read of Coach Bowman's passing. He was a wonderful person, teacher, and friend to me at French High School in the sixties. He will be be missed by everyone who knew him.

Many years have passed since meeting this gracious godly man of integrity when he came to French High School. He was a friend and a man I looked up to since my teens. Mark always had a smile and a friendly word for all. He and Frances rarely missed a French High School reunion.

I pray God will grant each of you peace as you deal with this loss of your dearly loved one. FHS Class '57

My prayers and thoughts are with you Francis and your family. Marcus was a very respected and well liked person. I know you did everything you could for him and you will be blessed beyond measure for all that you did for your dear partner. May you feel God's peace and presence as you face the most difficult days ahead. Lots of Love to you and your family!!!!

Just read about Marcus. Claude and I send our prayers and love to all of you. We were looking forward to our next get together so we could visit. We will keep you in our prayers and are here if we can help. Love, The Williamsons

Always appreciated Mr. Bowman's kindness to our son Mark when we moved to Lumberton 28 years ago.

Mr. Bowman served our community well as a Leader,Coach,Teacher,Mentor,Etc. He has touched the lives of countless young people. He will be greatly missed. The lord has called his servant Marc home. Rickey Simmons (L.H.S.) Class of 78

I saw Marcus at lunch a couple of weeks ago and we had a great time talking about everything from current events to old Tulane/Vanderbilt football stories which Marcus and my Dad, Smokey, loved to discuss. I thought about Marcus at last weeks Tulane v. Rice game and was going to tell him that the Green Wave fought hard to the end but fell to Rice 13-7. I will miss his friendship. My thoughts and prayers are with the family as I remember a great man and civic leader.

Marcus was a fine man and a true friend.First time I met
him I was looking for a place for the band to practice and this was way back. A man was inside the football field and ask
what I doing and told him. He said he was Marcus Bowman
the new Football Coach. That was the start of a lasting
friendship. To the family my blessing goes out to you as I
have been there.Nurse Jane is probably checking him in??
Jerry Richmond and Family

Lynda and I are sadden by Mark passing. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

I would like to first say that I was very lucky to have known you. You were such a sweet and gentle man. You showed me great compassion and I will always remember you for that. I would like to let Mrs. Bowman and the girls know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers. I will miss coming in and seeing his smile or seeing him outside riding around the driveway. You will be missed so much.

Tifani & Andrew Hobbs,
and The Morris Family(Fort Worth, Texas)

I was sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Bowman. I pray that God will give your family peace and strength during this time.