SEATTLE — Father John J. Bowman died Jan. 26, 2024, at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle after complications from kidney and lung infections. He was 84.
He was born Nov. 5, 1939, to Mary and Wilber Bowman in Phoenix, Arizona. The family moved to Seattle in 1946, to a house four blocks from St. Patrick Church. St. Patrick was the family’s church and school until all five children moved away from home.
After graduating from St. Patrick School, he attended St. Edward Minor Seminary and St. Thomas Major Seminary, both in Kenmore. He was ordained a priest by Archbishop Thomas A. Connolly in 1965.
Father Bowman’s first assignment as a priest was as assistant pastor at St. Rose de Viterbo in Longview. He went on to be an assistant pastor at Holy Family in Auburn and St. Louise de Marillac in Bellevue. From 1974 to 2008, he served as pastor at five parishes: St. Thomas Aquinas in Camas, St. Mary Magdalen in Everett, St. Joseph in Chehalis, St. Monica on Mercer Island (his longest assignment at 12 years) and St. Luke in Shoreline. He retired as parochial vicar of St. Anne Parish in Seattle in 2013 and lived independently in northeast Seattle.
From the beginning of his pastoral duties, Father Bowman took a lively interest in parish schools, often visiting classrooms and asking the students about their studies — and bringing treats. He had a great interest and love for the families in his parishes, and remained in contact with several of them over the years.
Father Bowman was known for his humor, kindness and sense of justice. He took tremendous pride in church and parish properties and actively participated in parish work parties.
Although he was an introvert, Father Bowman could converse with anyone of any age. He was known for homilies that were clear and to the point. During his time at St. Luke, he often said that if a cell phone rang during his homily, the owner owed him brownies. It was a joke, but brownies periodically appeared on the table in the sacristy.
In retirement, Father Bowman was an avid reader, enjoyed gardening and made various improvements to his house and yard. He was a fan of University of Washington and Seattle Seahawks football, recording to the games but only watching when his teams won. He is remembered for being generous and encouraging to younger priests. He especially enjoyed sitting with a cup of mocha on a heated bench outside Starbucks in Madison Park.
Father Bowman was preceded in death by his parents Wilber and Mary Bowman, sister Mary Bowman, brother Jim Bowman and brother-in-law, Tony Beltrame.
He is survived by his sister Maggie Beltrame, brother Bob Bowman, sister-in-law Teri Hall and nephew Jeff Bowman.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Feb. 6 at St. Luke Church in Shoreline. Interment will be at 2 p.m. Feb. 6 at Calvary Cemetery in Seattle.