Harry Bowman's Obituary
Dr. Harry Leon Bowman, 79, of Clermont, Florida was born in Jacks Creek, Tennessee to Bob and Georgia (née Dunavant) Bowman. Raised in Henderson County, Tennessee, he graduated as Valedictorian from Lexington High School. After receiving a B.Th. from Pentecostal Bible Institute (Tupelo, MS), he was awarded a B.S. from Union University (Jackson, TN). He completed his educational studies by earning an M.S. and an Ed.D. in Foundations of Education from George Peabody College (Nashville, TN).Beginning his career as an educator, he worked for the Southeastern Education Laboratory in Atlanta and for Northeast Louisiana State University in Monroe. He joined the College of Education faculty at the University of Memphis in 1970. He retired as Associate Dean of the College of Education to begin a new career with the Commission on Occupational Education Institutions (COEI) with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Under his leadership as Executive Director, COEI became an independent accrediting agency for post-secondary vocational schools. When he retired from the Council on Occupational Education (COE), he was named Director Emeritus. Although retired, he continued to invest his time by leading numerous team visits to vocational schools and at the time of his death he was serving on the boards of the Mid-South Education Research Association (MSERA), the American Technical Education Association (ATEA), and the State and Regional Educational Research Associations. The University of Memphis recognized him as an Outstanding Researcher and the College of Education recognized him as a recipient of the Earl Crader Award. MSERA created the Harry Bowman Service Award which is given annually. He was a Past President of the Board of SACS. He was named recipient of the ATEA Jean Koch Outstanding Achievement Award in 2016.He faithfully served as a member on the Board of the Episcopal College Ministry, the Metropolitan Ministry and the Episcopal Counseling Center for the Diocese of West Tennessee. In the past he served as a member of the vestry at All Saints’ Episcopal Church (Memphis), as Treasurer at Church of Our Saviour (Atlanta), and as Senior Warden of St. Matthias Episcopal Church (Clermont, FL). He attended numerous Diocesan conventions as a Lay Delegate. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Wayne and Mason Bowman. His survivors include his wife, Deborah; his children Kimberly Volner and Harry “Robin” Bowman, Jr. of Lexington, TN, Christopher Bowman (Delaine) of Franklin, TN, and Dr. Robert Bowman (Ashley) of Tallahassee, FL; his siblings Omega Turpin (Stevie), Patsy Free, and Samuel Bowman (Brinda). He leaves 10 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and 16 nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 9:00 until 10:00 a.m. and a funeral service will immediately follow, Sunday, April 29 at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119 (901) 767-8930. “Celebrating Life… Behind the Stone Wall”.
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