Archie Bowman

Monday, June 22, 2009

Nov. 2, 1912 - June 15, 2009

PALISADE -- Archie Bowman was born to Harry and Mertie Baker Bowman in a sod house south of Palisade, Nebraska on Nov. 2, 1912, and passed away on June 15, 2009, in Greenwood Village, Colo.

He married Jean Mardelle Barker from Max in 1936. They settled in San Gabriel, Calif., and had one son, Rodney, who was born Sept. 13, 1938. In California, Archie found a job with a chain of food stores, known as the Market Basket Grocery Association. He worked for 4 - 5 years in the chain, eventually moving into management for the company, which needed his services on the home front during World War II. He later owned and operated his own grocery store, "City Market" in the town of San Fernando, Calif.

Archie and Jean divorced in 1945. Several years later through mutual friends, he met Doris Long and they married in 1954. They stayed in California until 1956, when they moved away because of the smog, which was beginning to affect Doris's and his health. They settled into a house in Englewood, Colo. Archie lived in that same home for 53 years. During his years in Colorado, Archie first worked for Caterpillar and later became a distributor of dynamite for the Atlas Powder Company, a leading producer of explosives. He kept his distributorship until 1975 when he retired at age 63, due to Doris's pulmonary illness. Archie said that Doris needed him more than the company.

With the encouragement of a friend who was a retired teacher, Archie studied for the GED. He not only passed the test in 1970, but scored so well that he was told he was one Algebra course short of an Associate Degree. Archie believed that keeping busy was the key to his longevity. He followed all of the Denver professional sports teams. Until the fire in his garage in February of 2009, Archie was still living in and taking care of his own home, cooking for himself, driving, and mowing his own lawn. He had many friends and neighbors who looked out for him and helped him stay in his home, including the local Meals on Wheels service.

Archie passed away on Monday, June 15, 2009. He was living at Heritage Club Greenwood Village while he rehabilitated following a hip fracture.

He was preceded in death by Doris, in 1982, a granddaughter, Bonnie Bowman St. Rock, in 1993, and Jean, in 2009, brothers Harry and Willard and sister, Lois Carlson.

He is survived by his son, Rod and wife, Angie of Trenton; three grandchildren, Pam Magley of Portland, Ore., Bob and wife, Lily of Beijing, China and Nancy Nichols and husband, Kyle of Culbertson; and five great grandchildren, Brandon, Amanda, Jacqueline, Nicole and Christopher; and many other family and friends.

Graveside services are planned at the Trenton Cemetery.