BowmanLBFuneral Services for L.B. Bowman, age 96, of Early, Texas will be held 10:00 AM Friday, August 5, 2016 at First United Methodist Church in Brownwood with Dr. Don Scroggins officiating.  Masonic graveside rites will follow at Eastlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends 6:00 – 8:00 PM Thursday at Heartland Funeral Home.  Mr. Bowman passed away Sunday, July 31, 2016 in Brownwood.

L.B. 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, Texas, 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, Texas 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 WW II 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, Texas 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 step father Mervin Bowman, mother Opha Bowman, brothers Glen, Charles and Weldon Bowman.  He is survived by wife of 47 years, Margaret, his daughter Myretta Elliott and husband Bill of Lafayette, Louisiana; step-son Charles Matlock of Early; step-daughter Kay Templeton and husband Perry of Houston, Tx; sisters Laverne Dillashaw of Temple, Texas and Lavell Parsons of Temple; brother Preston Bowman and wife Mary of Alpine, Texas; eight grandchildren Richard and David Elliott, Candice Matlock Littrell, Katelyn Matlock Pettibone, Craig Dehnel, Christi Duckworth, Brad Templeton and Brandy Davis; eleven great grandchildren, one great great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net.

Heartland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.