Lynn "Vall" Bowman, 93, passed away October 24, 2015. He was born in Kansas City on December 9, 1921, the only son of Lynn Edward Bowman and Edith Ladd Bowman. Vall attended Central College of Fayette, MO, but left to enlist in World War II. During World War II, Vall served on the USS Maryland at the islands Battles for Tarawa, Kwajalein, Eniwetok, Tinian, Saipan, Guam and Pelliu. He was then hospitalized at Corpus Christi Naval Hospital in Texas. He returned to sea on an aircraft carrier, the new USS Lexington, and served at the Battle for Japan. After discharge, Vall returned to Central College and graduated in 1947. At Central College, he met a beautiful girl, Jane Hope Elliott, from Elsberry, Missouri, and they were married in 1947. Vall went to work at his father's heating and plumbing company. He later received his MBA from Missouri University. Vall and Jane had a wonderful life together for over 50 years. They were blessed with three much beloved children, Lynn Bowman, Thomas Bowman and Anne Bowman. Vall and Jane enjoyed traveling throughout the world; including many trips to France, Spain, Mexico, Italy, England and Russia. Following Jane's death in 2000, Vall married Doris Manning in 2001. Doris was a dear childhood friend of Jane's, and she and her husband, Tom, had been friends with Vall and Jane for many years. Vall and Doris enjoyed a very happy marriage, and enjoyed trips to several countries. Vall was owner and President of Bowman Mechanical Contractors, Inc. He was a director of Baltimore Bank, Boatmen's Bank & Trust of KC, North Hill's Bank, advisory director of Boatmen's First National Bank, and Advisory Trust committee member of Boatmen's Bank in St. Louis, Mo. For many years, Vall was a management trustee for Pipefitters Local 533 Pension Fund and the General Laborers Pension Fund of Greater Kansas City. He was honored with a resolution passed by Mayor Barnes and the Kansas City Council for his work on the Kansas City Committee for Fairness in Construction to benefit minority contractors. Vall was a lifetime member of the Builders' Association and was past chairman of the Mechanical Contractors Association. Vall was active in the community and enjoyed his many friends, serving as past president of the University Club, Saddle & Sirloin Club, and the International Wine & Food Society of London England - Kansas City branch. He also enjoyed his many years as a member of the Mission Hills Country Club and as an elder of the Ward Parkway Presbyterian Church. He faithfully served his country, and was a World War II Veteran, Disabled American Vet and served in the Korean Conflict. Vall was a wonderful father, husband and friend. He had an amazing wealth of knowledge, a delightful sense of humor, and loved his family very much. Vall was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Jane Hope, and his sisters Lucilynn Selleck and Elizabeth White. He leaves behind his wife, Doris; children, Anne, Lynn, and Tom; sister, Maria Evans; brother-in-law, James Elliott; step-sons Jim Manning and Jeff Manning; and 13 much loved nephews and nieces. Memorial services will be at 3:00 pm at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131 on Saturday, October 31st. Family will receive friends between 2:00 and 3:00, prior to service. Private interment Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Harvesters or KU Cancer Center.

Published in Kansas City Star on Oct. 28, 2015