Harold L. Bowman

Harold L. Bowman, age 100, well known and longtime grocery man of Paola, passed away November 2, 2015 at North Point Nursing Center. He was born on April 17, 1915 to Henry and Nora Bowman in Diamond, Missouri. He graduated from Diamond High School in 1932 and graduated from Joplin Business College in Joplin, Missouri. He came to Paola in 1937 where he worked for Metzler Furniture and Undertaking. On August 31, 1940, he was united in marriage to Helen Irene Wilson. She preceded him in death on April 4, 1981. Harold lived in Kansas City after his marriage until 1945, at which time he entered into the grocery business at Bucyrus, Kansas. In 1953, he sold the Bucyrus store and bought the Mabes store in the west side of the square in Paola and changed the name to Harold"s Market. In the fall of 1959, he merged with Max Layland and they opened Buy Rite Grocery Store on south Silver. On January 1, 1974, they sold to Jim Queen and John McKeever and retired. Harold did a lot of fishing and traveling. He was a lifetime member of the Rotary Club and a member of First Christian Church in Paola, where he served as a deacon. He helped to re-establish and build the new Senior Citizens Center, which he enjoyed very much. On August 27, 1983, he married Wanda J. Hardy. His son, Dennis L. Bowman and Wanda, both preceded him in death. Surviving are a daughter Cathy Eicholtz, of Topeka; a daughter-in-law Glenna Bowman, of Louisburg; two grandsons Rob Bowman and Vince Morris; one step-granddaughter Robyn Diehm; and 11 great grandchildren. The family suggests memorials to First Christian Church or to Paola Senior Citizens Center. To share a special memory of Harold or to leave a condolence message for his family, please click the Share Memories tab. Paola Cemetery Service: Thursday, November 05, 2015 at 11:30 AM Visitation: Thursday, November 05, 2015 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM