“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Larry Albert Bowers, 72, went to be with the Lord on September 5, 2019, in his home in Rimrock, Arizona.
Born in Mansfield, August 25, 1947 to George Albert and Mary Jane (Sampsel) Bowers, Larry was raised in Bellville, OH and graduated from Clear Fork High School in 1965. After high school, Larry enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. and completed his training at Camp LeJeune and was stationed at Camp Pendleton before serving in Vietnam.
Always a hard-worker, Larry spent his teen years employed by Wade and Gatton nursery and San-Dar Smorgasbord and saved enough money to purchase a brand-new ’65 Mustang GT. After thirteen months in Vietnam, he returned home and worked at Tappan Stove Company for ten years before opening a successful insurance agency in Mansfield. Larry relocated to Arizona in 1983 and worked for the Arizona Department of Corrections as a corrections officer and later retired as a parole officer. In retirement, Larry enjoyed driving busses for the Vail School District and was adored by the students.
Larry had an infectious laugh and a marvelous sense-of-humor. He enjoyed camping, fishing, traveling, playing pool and watching his favorite sports. His love of sports was only surpassed by his love of the Lord. Larry enjoyed his daily Bible reading and generously donated to Christian ministries. A true American patriot, Larry proudly served his family, his country, but most importantly his Lord.
Larry is survived by his wife Patti; two daughters, Lorice Sherman (Phillip) of Mansfield and Denise Brotman of Gilbert, Arizona; five grandchildren, Brittany Walker (Zac), Vivian Jones, Maggie Brotman, Ross Brotman, Daniel Brotman; two great granddaughters, Adelyn and Emma Walker; a sister Ruth Ellen Faust (Carl) of Medina; two stepchildren, Traci Vitarelli (Ron) and Joe Terrible (Sherry) and step-grandchildren, Megan, Tanner and Ally; and his loyal and beloved dogs, Pugsy and Pickles.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service will be held Monday, September 30, 2019 at 3 pm in the Bellville Snyder Funeral Home. The Rev. Dennis Nezrick will officiate. Family and friends may call one hour prior to the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, In Memory program that honors those who returned home from Vietnam and later died. Larry battled complications from exposure to Agent Orange during his tenure in Vietnam.
