Bowerman - John - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

John was many things.  For one, he was an amazing historian.  When I began writing for the Montgomery Magazine, he told me with a wide grin and a finger pointing in my direction that he'd be watching for my mistakes.  For probably four or five years, I wrote many articles, but finally he came up and gave me a hug at a meeting, saying, "You did it!  Impressed me with a topic I'd not thought of and an amazing article to go with it!"  Needless to say, I was thrilled, beyond words.  My hubby said, "Well, it looks like ya' finally made it.  Got your wish that John thought you did a good job!"  

John wrote about so many  topics of his and others' interests.  Education (he was a super educator and showed his love and appreciation for not only good educators but for institutions, as well); Sports (he and brother Tom were both exceptional athletes as well as the sons, nephews and cousins of these Bowermans).  To name a few, Charles, David, Frank -- in other words, a very active and exceptional sports family. Other professionals (ministers; doctors; inventors); history (street and town names; )and many more topics and people.  As writers, we had pictures by our columns and this one is for John's Profile of Inspiration written by Pat Cline.  Loved his articles - always uplifting and fun.  Try to pattern my current "Around The County" article in the The Paper" after this neat continued column.

Now, John was a very pleasant surprise to his parents, his siblings being 23, 20 and 8 years older than the youngest Bowerman born to John H. and Myrtle Iva Roberts Bowerman.  Born at Alamo September 27th, 1921, he and older brother, Tom played baseball in the streets and barn yard and basketball on the Alamo HS team.  They also were outside a lot having good, clean fun.  Close their whole lives, their sisters were Ida and Estel, whom I have no doubt spoiled those boys.  Both Bowermans were educators and coaches.  

Wabash was his love, he having played baseball his first year.  Finances kept him from furthering that activitiy, but my how the man loved that sport.  His sons played as well, but were never pushed to go any farther than they desired in the field.  John married a Montgomery County girl, colleague and sports lover!!!  Ten years after his high school graduation he married Marjorie Hungate (daughter of Ray and Florence Scott Hungate).  The Scotts and Bowermans were both early farmers.  The love for the land carried on as Tom lived on the property and John enjoyed the out of doors (trees, squirrels, animals...).  

Marjorie herself had an interesting life.  She spent a summer in Philadlephia about the time she was married charting the Abarden Proving Ground missles at the University of Pennsylvania. Besides raising their sons, Brian and Dick, plus teaching, she spent several years as a bookkeeper at Horner's and worked with "Johnny" when he was superintendent.

Banking was also a long-time love and career for John.  Religious, John was an active memeber of Crawfordsville's First Christian Church.  One of the gurus of volunteerism for the community, judt a few organizations he was involved in were the Red Cross Board; Historical Society board; Kiwanis; School Board (including president); Lew Wallace Advisory Board; Treasurer of Boys and Girls Club; Oak Hill Cemetery; and another group where I worked with him a lot, the Library Friends of the Library.

I could write a book about John Bowerman, but let me conclude here saying, "He was an inspiration; an amazing man in which to pattern your life."  RIP John B!

Note: Pic below, is Joh - Wabash Senior (he loved his alma matre)

Sources: Cline, Pat.  "John A. Bowerman."  Montgomery Memories. December 1988 p 3

Zach, Karen Bazzani.  Personal knowledge.

Alamo Yearbook 1939.  (pic at top of page taken from this)