Major Donald Ray Bowman

Don was born in Oklahoma City on October 2, 1940, to Herbert and Clara Bowman. Don grew up attending The Salvation Army Oklahoma City Citadel Corps with his family, and his knowledge and love for the Lord also grew as he participated in many of the activities there. He learned to play the Bb bass in the corps band, developing a lifelong love for music.

Don enjoyed cars, spending many hours working on engines and fixing up cars. His passion grew into a love for racing those cars. He always loved the roar of an engine.

It was at the Salvation Army in Oklahoma City that Don first met Rachele Holt. On June 6, 1961, this beautiful young woman who had captured his attention became his wife, and they shared their lives together for the next 61 years. They welcomed five children. The older two, David and Donna,were born while the young family lived in Oklahoma City. In 1966, Don and Rachele moved to Denver, CO, where the younger three children, Daniel, Darren, and Deanna, were born.

In Colorado, Don continued to be a faithful member of The Salvation Army. He served as Bandmaster, then later as Corps Sergeant Major, of the Denver Citadel Corps. In 1973, while attending the Soldiers National Seminar on Evangelism at Glen Eyrie, CO, he responded to God's call to serve in full time Salvation Army ministry. Commissioned as an Auxiliary Captain in June 1974, his first appointment was to lead the Denver Harbor Light Center. Two years later, he received the first of eight appointments as a Corps Officer: Pueblo, Greeley, Denver West Adams, and Boulder/Broomfield, CO; Ogden, UT, Laramie, WY; Bozeman and Billings, MT.

In June 2006, Don and Rachele retired after 31 years of active service in Salvation Army ministry. They moved to Tehachapi, CA to be near their children, and there were soldiers of the Bakersfield corps. Don continued his involvement with the Kiwanis Club, soon serving two terms as club President. In 2009, Don accepted a post-retirement appointment leading the Bishop, CA Corps for one year. He then continued serving with the Golden State Service Extension department for another nine years.

In 2020, he and Rachele sold their home in California, and returned to their family roots in Oklahoma. Don fell ill and was hospitalized in June 2022, and soon was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Feeling he had enjoyed a long and full life, and ready in his heart to see his Savior face to face, he elected not to pursue treatment and opted instead to spend his remaining days peacefully, with the comfort of family and hospice care.

He is survived by his wife, Rachele; five children, David (Cami), Donna, Daniel (Gail), Darren, and Deanna; seven grandchildren, Rachele (Gabriel), David, Isaac (Katherine), Sam, Emily, Elizabeth, and Ben; two great-grandchildren, Jackson and Delaney; Aunt (and sister at heart) Joy Gray; Sister-in-love Cecille Bowman, and numerous beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.