Mack Bowman

Alexander Frank McDowell Mack Bowman, 86, of Jenkins Valley Road, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at his home. A native of Henderson County, he had resided in Buncombe County since August 1960. He was a graduate of Hendersonville High School, went to Blue Ridge School for Boys where he later was a Teacher and Coach. He was also a graduate of WCU, having received his Masters Degree and where he was a 1949 Football Hall of Fame Team member. He was a Teacher and Football Coach at Erwin High School, was selected The Times Football Coach of the Year, was also an Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Erwin, was Principal at Emma Elementary from 1965-1966 and Principal at Erwin High School from 1966-1970 and later went with the Driver Education Program as Supervisor. He coached his sons on Little League Teams and was a member of the North Carolina Retired School Personnel. He was active at First Christian Church where he served as a Teacher, Chairman of the Board, Elder and Property Chairman and was a U.S. Army veteran during the Korean Wars. After he retired 1989, he worked with his son Mack in construction. He was very proud of his sons and grandchildren who always brought a smile to his face, a twinkle to his eyes and was affectionately known as Pops or Coach. He enjoyed his church, home, family and gardening. Mr. Bowman was the son of the late George S. and Lucy Melton Bowman and was also preceded in death by his son, Gregory Lewis Bowman; sister, Marcie Bowman and brothers, George S. Bowman, Jr. and William Grover Bowman. Surviving are his wife whom he married September 5, 1956, Jeanne Crudup Bowman of the home; son, George (Mack) Bowman and wife Kathy of Asheville; granddaughter, Emily Cassell and husband Ryan of Guam; grandson, Grant Bowman of Eure, NC; a special young man who made his home with the Bowmans during his High School years, John Cantwell of Queens, NY and beloved dog, Cuddles. Memorial services will be held 2:00 PM Thursday, July 11, 2013 in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home with Rev. Tom Everton officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following services at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: Building Fund of First Christian Church, 470 Enka Lake Road, Candler, N.C. 28715 or CarePartners Hospice, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, N.C. 28813. A special thanks to Jeanette Craig for her wonderful care to him and for being a special friend to his wife, Jeanne. You have been a Godsend. Also, a special thanks to the Staff at Hospice and to the Home Instead Caregivers who gave such loving care to Mack. Our family is very grateful.