Lewis Cass Bowman

Lewis Cass Bowman

Brunswick - Lewis Cass Bowman, beloved husband of Deedra Neitzel Bowman died at his home in Brunswick New York on January 24th, 2014. Born in 1951 to Lewis Garnett Bowman and Katherine Macdaniel he was raised in Chattanooga Tennessee. Upon graduating from high school in 1969 Lewis enlisted in the US Air Force where he served with honor in the Vietnam War. Seriously wounded, Lewis was a Purple Heart recipient. During his combat tour Lewis was temporarily assigned to the US Marine Corps and he remained a Marine at heart for the rest of his life.

Following his discharge Lewis attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga majoring in political science. His first career was in food service and he worked at many locations from California to Tennessee. He was overseeing the food service program at Senior Neighbors in Chattanooga when he met his wife Deedra. Married in February, 1985 they relocated to the Upstate New York/Vermont area where Lewis worked in hospitals and nursing homes.

In 2003 they returned to Brunswick NY where Lewis, following his passion, took a position as a Veteran's Service Officer at the Vermont Veteran's Home in Bennington Vermont. In this position Lewis naturally reached out to Veterans with the most difficult life challenges. He was particularly interested in helping Veterans who were homeless and/or living with post traumatic stress syndrome. Upon his retirement in December, 2012 Lewis was honored by the United States Senate for his work with Veterans.

He was dearly loved and will be missed by his wife Deedra, his sister Sharon (Jim) Smith, his sister Joanie (Alan) Kerr, sister Barbara Hooper, his nephews Jimmy (Faye) Smith, Jr., Steve (Kim) Smith, John (Tracy) Kerr, and Adam (Brittany) Kerr along with many great-great nieces and nephews. In-laws who will feel his loss include Owen (Tracy) Neitzel, Ina Neitzel, Oakley (Mary) Neitzel and his much loved nieces Sara, Jessica and Janna Neitzel.

Lewis was a lifetime member of the Vietnam Veterans of America and was active in the prayer ministry at his church.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 1st at 2PM at Hope United Methodist Church, 566 Brunswick Road, Eagle Mills with Pastor David Martin officiating. Contributions in memory of Lewis to the Pastor's Discretionary Fund at Hope Church to help with Veterans and others in need would be appreciated by the family.

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