Gerald R. Bowman

Derby – Bowman, Gerald R., age 95, passed away Sunday, October 23, 2011. Visitation 1-8pm Thursday, October 27 with family present 5-7pm at Smith Mortuary, 1415 N. Rock Road, Derby. Funeral service 10am Friday, October 28 at the First Baptist Church, 208 N. Georgie, Derby. Gerald was born near Derby and was a lifelong farmer. He considered himself to be a steward of the land, studied farming and was often on the leading edge of new techniques, winning an award for conservation. He loved to talk farming to other farmers and enjoyed being a salesman for Pioneer Hybrid Seeds. He served on the Sedgwick county Cooperative Extension and served on the board and was president of Farm Bureau. Gerald was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Derby, serving as trustee, deacon, and moderator. His faith was an important part of his life. He was a member of the Mulvane Masonic Lodge, Wichita Consistory Masonic Lodge and Acacia White Shrine. He was a man of honesty and generosity, a pillar to family and community, and a loving husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. He will be greatly missed by all. Gerald was preceded in death by his first wife, Rowena Bowman; siblings, Louise Whitted, John Bowman and George Bowman; niece, Sherry Bowman. He is survived by his wife, Naomi Bowman; children, Anne (Steve) Lackey of Phoenix, AZ, Karen (Lloyd) Liby of Derby, Claude Chisholm of Memphis, TN and Kemper (Autumn) Chisholm of Durham, KS; grandchildren, Chelley, Jennifer, Michelle, Kimberly, Chris, Kelly, Kara, Steven, JuliAnn and Shelby; great-grandchildren, Destry, John, Zaylah, Tate and Grace; nieces and nephews, Wayne (Linda) Bowman, Susan (Tony) Rhynard, Lydia (Jim) Gates and Brad (Teresa) Bowman. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the church or to the American Diabetes Association, 608 W. Douglass, Ste. 100 Wichita, KS 67203.