Mr. Bowman passed away Sunday, July 31, 2016 in Brownwood.
L.B. Bowman, 96, of Early, was born April 22, 1920 in the Indian Creek community of Comanche County to Lonnie and Opha Richardson Bowman. He attended school at Briar Grove, Crossroad, Proctor, Comanche and Wink. He was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church.
L.B. entered the insurance business in 1938 at the age of 18 as a salesman with Rio Grande National Life in Dallas,where he led the state in insurance sales for the next 3 years and was promoted to District Superintendent.
In 1942 he was drafted into the US Army for WW II where his 28th Infantry division landed on Omaha Beach. He made S/SGT in the battle of the Hurtgen Forest. Commander Col. Earl Rudder from Brady was his commander. L.B. was honorably discharged with four battle stars and one bronze star, in 2009 received the World War II Medallion medal and is a charter member of the WWII National Museum. He never missed a day of duty during enlistment.
L.B. returned to civilian life in 1946 as district manager for the Rio Grande Insurance Company and was promoted to Assistant Vice President in Dallas. In 1952, at the age of 32 years he chartered the United Travelers Insurance Company of Waco and remained president for 32 years.
In 1969, L.B. married the love of his life Margaret Morgan Matlock and together they purchased an old grocery store property on Early Blvd. and restored it to a steakhouse and private club known as The Travelers. Later they purchased the old USO building known as Adams Street Community Center in Brownwood and moved and remodeled it to make for a larger Travelers, accommodating even larger groups as a community center and serving weddings, church services, school and football banquets — and is still serving different groups today. L.B and Margaret obtained a charter from the State of Texas for the Indian Creek Cemetery, Comanche County, creating permanent care for coming generations. They also purchased and placed a marble marker detailing the history of the Indian Creek Methodist Church to show L.B.’s appreciation for his forefathers and the community he dearly loved.
In 1962, L.B. became a Master Mason and in 1992, he joined the Scottish Rite and Suez Shrine where he played in the Shrine Band. L.B. was a lifetime member of the Brownwood Volunteer Fire Department.
L.B. was preceded in death by his father, Lonnie A. Bowman; his stepfather, Mervin Bowman; mother, Opha Bowman; and brothers, Glen, Charles and Weldon Bowman.
He is survived by wife of 47 years, Margaret; his daughter, Myretta Elliott and husband Bill of Lafayette, La.; stepson, Charles Matlock of Early; stepdaughter Kay Templeton and husband Perry of Houston; sisters, Laverne Dillashaw of Temple and Lavell Parsons of Temple; brother. Preston Bowman and wife Mary of Alpine; eight grandchildren, Richard and David Elliott, Candice Matlock Littrell, Katelyn Matlock Pettibone, Craig Dehnel, Christi Duckworth, Brad Templeton and Brandy Davis; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.