Gary William Bowman, 76, of Morganton, passed away peacefully Saturday September 21, 2024 at his residence.
Gary was born on December 29, 1947 in Burke County to the late Harvey Andrew Bowman and Elva Blackburn Bowman. He was a graduate of Drexel High School and was in the second graduating class at Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton. He was a United States Army National Guard Veteran, serving his country for six years during the Vietnam Era. Gary had a lifelong career as an area banking executive serving with both community and national banks including Northwestern, First Union, Wachovia, First Citizens, and Bank of Granite. He took great pride in being able to give so many their first opportunity. He was a member of the Valdese Rotary Club, Valdese Merchants Association, was on the board of directors at Valdese General Hospital and was a member of Pleasant View Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his siblings, H. A. Bowman, Jr., Juanita Bowman Staley, Richard Lee Bowman and Irene Bowman Woodie.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Janice Walker Bowman of the home; his son, Heath Bowman and wife Keisha of Valdese; his daughter, Heather Bowman Murphy of Gastonia; his grandchildren, Max Allen Murphy, Walker Bowman, William Bowman and Leila Bowman.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held from 5:00- 7:00 P.M. Friday, October 18, 2024 at the Waldensian Heritage Venues, 4940 Villar Ln. NE Valdese, NC.
Memorials may be sent to the Blue Ridge cancer Center, 2201 S. Sterling St., Morganton, NC 28655 or to Amorem Hospice of Burke, 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690.
An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com.
Heritage Funeral Service & Crematory of Valdese is serving the family.
So sorry for your loss. Went to school at Western Piedmont with him. Good man.
Gary was a pleasure to know, he was a true gentleman and always kind and helpful to everyone.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Nancy Page
Gary was a fine man. I did some work for him and we became friends. He will be missed.
Mr. Bowman was a great man and always a pleasure when I got to spend time with him. May his memory be eternal!
I am so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. I worked with him at Northwestern Bank in the 80’s and have very fond memories of him as our boss. He was a good man. Prayers for the entire family.
What A Friend And Man He Was Always So Sorry For The Families So Many People Will Miss When They Would Call His name He Knew By Their First Name. Reast In Peace
Always a pleasure to meet him
Gary and I were in the National Guard at the same time. He performed his military duties in an exemplary manner. We played softball for the guard team. He was an outstanding athlete. He was always pleasant and respectful to all. He will be missed. Praying for family and friends.
Gary and I were classmates at Drexel, co-workers at Northwestern Bank and friends when we were younger.
He always had that beautiful smile on his face, and was a great guy! Prayers for his family.
Condolences to the family. Gary was a great guy . We went to school together at Drexel High. He will be missed. Prayers to the family.
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to all of you. My sister, Jean Abee worked with Gary for years and years. She thought the world of him. She so enjoyed when he would bring the kids to see her on Halloween.
My heart dropped when I heard the news. I worked with Gary for 10 years when there was a Northwestern Bank in Valdese. Not only close co-workers but friends with him and Jan. My heart felt condolences to Jan, Heather, Heath and whole family. May God Bless you and hold you in His LOVING arms.
Our thoughts and prayers are with this great family in their time or sorrow! Gary has helped so many people in our community including me when I started my business over 20 years ago…he was a great man!
I had the opportunity to work for Gary at First Citizens Bank in Valdese and also with Janice at Members Credit Union in Valdese. Both served their community and set a good example of how to serve their customers and employees. I am saddened by Gary’s passing. My sympathy goes out to Janice and family at this time.