Name of Deceased: Donald “Skip” Bowsher, Jr                            Age: 90

Date of Death: March 29, 2014

Place of Death: Salina Regional Health Center, Salina, Kansas

Date of Birth: November 7, 1923 at Sandusky, Ohio

Parents Name: Donald Allison & Frances (Corbeille) Bowsher

 

OBITUARY INFORMATION

 

Married Twila Ulrich April 5, 1953 at Quinter, Kansas. 

He was co-owner and operator for Cheyenne Hardware and owner and operator of Sentry Hardware in the Westgate Shopping Center, retiring in 1985. His Sentry Hardware store was the first in the state of Kansas.

Mr. Bowsher was a long-time Great Bend, Kansas resident.

He was a Lieutenant junior grade flight instructor in the United States Navy during World War II.

He was a member of the American Legion Argonne Post 180, Elks Lodge #1127, Lake Barton Golf Club, and Radio Controlled Airplane Club.  He played drums in a Navy band and also dance bands when he came home. He was an avid bowler, loved to build things in his workshop, enjoyed a game of cards, and dancing to Big Bands at the Great Bend Municipal Auditorium. He drove the Mini-bus for the Great Bend Senior Center, and was an avid photographer his entire life, developing his own pictures in his home darkroom. Spending time with his family was a priority, following son Mark to motorcycle races and son Keith to rock band gigs.  Each summer he took his family on a trip. He also had the Jumpin’ Gyminy Trampoline Center, Great Bend, and was a PTA officer at Morrison School. 

 

SURVIVORS

 

wife: Twila Bowsher, of the home

two sons: Mark Bowsher and his wife Marg of Richmond, TX, and Keith Bowsher of Lawrence, KS

two grandchildren: Kevin Bowsher of El Segundo, CA, and Lindsey Bailey of Sugarland, TX

 

He was preceded in death by one sister, Betty Yetschke, two half-sisters, Vickie Cole and Sherry Barnett.

 

SERVICE INFORMATION

 

Graveside Service: 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at Great Bend Cemetery with military rites by the United States Navy Honor Guard

Officiant: The Reverend Stan Crawford

Visitation:  The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at Bryant Funeral Home.

Memorial Fund:  American Heart Association or St. Rose Foundation for the benefit of Heartland Cancer Center, in care of Bryant Funeral Home

 

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

                      Arrangements by    Bryant Funeral Home         1425 Patton Road       Great Bend, Kansas                      67530