David Cochran Bowman, 94, of Corinth, Texas, joined loved ones in the next life on January 29, 2021 at his daughter's home surrounded by family.

David was born August 22, 1926, the only child of Maude Cochran and husband Vail Bowman of Minerva, Ohio. Raised by progressive, nurturing parents, he was a gifted musician and pianist from early childhood and was a cellist in the Cleveland youth symphony. David developed a friendship with fellow band member, Marilyn Ann Geib, while playing baritone in his junior and high school bands. This friendship became a catalyst in his life, evolving to become a devoted and loving marriage of over fifty-three years.

Having lost both parents to illness by age 16, David prepared for his WWII service by completing his final two years of high school at Manlius military boarding school, during which time he and Marilyn developed their relationship through correspondence. David enlisted in the U.S. Navy upon turning eighteen and became part of the Pacific U.S. Task Force # 58. He served on the USS Alaska (CB-1), operating the turret gunpowder elevation station during battle operations off Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Following the war, David earned a Bachelor of Music degree in theory and composition from Southern Methodist University and married his soulmate, Marilyn Geib in August 1950. The couple settled in Dallas where their children David Michael and Michelle were born.

David's career as a regional credit manager with Sears, Roebuck, & Company never impeded honoring his parents' legacy of service above self and love of family. Throughout corporate moves between Dallas, Chicago, and Kansas City, David served on church boards and as Board Chair of Countryside Christian Church in Mission, Kansas. He was a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Freemason and a founding board member of Foxwood Springs, a Christian retirement community in Kansas City. David also served on the Irving, Texas Planning and Zoning Commission, as a Boy Scout Troop Leader, Band Booster President, Lake Kiowa Kiwanis Club President, and on the Lake Kiowa POA Board. He was resolute and pivotal in working to successfully de-segregate the regional credit operations he managed, at a historical time that risked his own employment and thereby a means toward funding his children's impending college educations. Although he served many leadership roles, his volunteerism was more frequently spent quietly behind-the-scenes on the tough jobs always short of volunteers.

David and Marilyn greatly enjoyed traveling in pursuit of their musical, cultural, and genealogical interests in their retirement. They purchased a home on Lake Kiowa in Texas where they created many wonderful memories with friends and family during their happy years there.

David's family was his greatest joy. He always found ways to express his love, gratitude, and pride in his family members and never missed an opportunity to be a fervent fan at his children's and grandchildren's band, dance, theater, sports, and you-name-it performances. His curiosity was a gift that resulted in carefully planned, epic, summer family vacations, and opportunities like gaining his children's entrance into jazz clubs to hear renowned artists. Many will remember David as a wonderful pianist who continued to play until his death. His family and friends will remember David as a steadfast Christian and an extremely kind, generous, and loving, husband, father, grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend. He was greatly cherished and will be greatly missed.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Maud and Vail Bowman and by his beloved wife, Marilyn Geib Bowman. David is survived by his son David M. Bowman and wife Melissa of Vallejo, California, and daughter Michelle B. Cunningham of Corinth, Texas; grandchildren: Sarah B. Cunningham, Michael G. Bowman, and William D. Cunningham; great grandchildren: Trenton D. Cunningham and Avery S. Cunningham; brother-in-law Darrell E. Geib and wife Mary Anna of Rochester, New York, and their children: Mrs. Heidi Geib-Brooks, Christopher Geib, and Mrs. Amanda Geib-Greatorex; and great-nieces: Belinda Grace Brooks and Charlotte Brooks.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 1:00 p.m., EST at Bartley Funeral Home, 205 West Lincoln Way, Minerva, Ohio, with interment at East Lawn Cemetery, Minerva, Ohio. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the American Cancer Society at www.donate3.cancer.org.

Celebration of Life

The zoom link will be available on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 about 30 minutes prior to the service.