Gary Bowman, 72, passed away peacefully in his sleep after a long battle with cancer.  He had been a resident at Edgemont Healthcare in Cynthiana, KY for the past 12 years.

He was born in Olympia Washington and raised in Tacoma, Washington by his parents Ronald Bowman and Helen Sampson.  During his teenage years, he moved in with a cherished Grandmother, Mary Pooley.  He was a member of the Class of '69 at Franklin Pierce High School in Tacoma, WA.  He enlisted in the Marine Corps in September of 1969 during the Vietnam Era, and when he returned from boot camp married his high school sweetheart Janine Brodahl in November 1969.  While raising his family he worked 2 jobs and went to college in the evenings.  He was a meat cutter by profession and worked his way up to become the Manager of the Meat Dept. at Sand Point Naval Base in Washington.  He was a devoted father to both of his girls and through his actions they learned the value of hard work and the work ethic they both have to this date.  He would take off work early to attend softball games, and then go back into work on Saturdays to make up for the time off.  He would attend many functions held by Parents Without Partners and would invite whoever would tag along.  He was the life of the party and hosted many at his beloved lake house on Mason Lake in Washington.  "House of the Rising Sun" could be heard across the crystal lake in the evenings, along with laughter and good times.  He enjoyed smoking, playing cribbage, fishing, baseball, cutting up, and activities with his family.

He is preceded in death by his cherished grandmother, parents, 2 Wives (Janine and Kathy), 2 Sisters (Vickie and Gail), 1 Brother (Gordie), 3 Admired Uncles (Ed, Bruce and Douglas), 1 Dear Aunt (Sheila) and 2 Loved Cousins (Sandra and June).  He is survived by his 2 Girls- Beverly (Jimmy) Adams, Jenny (Chris) Shaw; 4 Grandchildren- Brian, Tyler, Renee (Sean) Chaiser and Brandon; 2 Great Grand Daughters- Luna Adams and Athena Chaiser, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

His daughters would like to thank the staff at Edgemont Healthcare for providing our dad a second family during his later years. You became family to us also; and everything has truly been appreciated over the years.

Graveside Services will be held on Tuesday, June 13th at 11 a.m. at New Tacoma Cemetery in University Place, WA.