Remembering Jack Bowman

"Surely, goodness, and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23:6

Dear friends,

It is with a heavy but hopeful heart that I bring news of the passing of our friend, Dr. Jack Bowman. His son, Jeffery informed me that he passed peacefully around midnight last night.

Jack was a great musician and showman. He enriched all our lives in the community through his founding and working tirelessly with the Garvin County Choral Society and Sinfonietta. He brought great works of classical music and Broadway to our town and recruited great performers to present them. He showed us that there is great talent all around us and gave us the opportunity to enjoy it.

Jack was a good friend and colleague at our church. His decades of experience in church settings made him a reliable partner in preparing for our worship each week and in special services. Jack and I put together a Service of Grief just after covid, as well as meaningful services on days such as Ash Wednesday, Good Fridays, and every year on Christmas Eve. Jack worked hard to make every Sunday as special as any of these. When I was starting out (and even recently), Jack always had my back when I messed up in a worship service. His email signature and blog signature declared his intentions: "Soli Deo Gloria," "only Glory to God;" his goal was always to bring glory to God.

While we all grieve our loss, I am also holding onto the sure hope that he is among the musicians before the throne of God--playing organ with Bach and piano with Mendelssohn, recruiting angels and cherubs for some grand musical drama.

I am grateful to have known him and worked with him.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NRSV)

Blessings and comfort to us all,

--Chas