Roger Wilson Bowman, 71, was born March 16, 1947 in Franklin County, Winchester, Tennessee, and the first born of 11 children. He was the son of Mary Christine West Bowman of Bass, Alabama and Wilson James Tucker of Pelham.
Roger passed away at his home Aug. 21 after an extended illness. He was married to Lori Jo Paulsen, for 14 years who survives. He is also survived by his daughter, Tracy Renee Murphree (Brian); son, Travis Buck Bowman (Becky), of Cookeville; four grandchildren, Kayla Colson Brown (Nathan), of Nashville and Zachary Murphee of Cookeville, Easton Bowman, and Ashton Bowman of Cookeville; five sisters, Deborah Anne Williams (Bobby) of Cookeville, Kay Natheene Crandall (Craig), of Smithville, Martha Lucinda Bowman of Baxter, Melonie Sue DeVries (Eric), and Angela Marie Vettraino (David) all of Smithville; five brothers, Dennis James Bowman (Ramona) of Lebanon, Nathan Earl Bowman, Jr. of Smithville, Arthur Randall Bowman (Diane) of Manchester, and Michael Wayne Bowman (Lisa) of Smithville; three stepsons, Jeremy Zoller (Sheena) of Huntsville, Alabama, Justin Zoller of Nashville, Jesse Zoller of Smyrna; two step grandchildren, Karsen Zoller, and Jameson Zoller; sister-in-law, Kelle Dorn (Brian) and brother-in-law, Gant Paulsen (Tamara), and many special cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Roger graduated from Smith County High School, class of 1965. He graduated from Cumberland University and Tennessee Tech University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education History and a Master's in Special Education. He began his teaching career at Gordon Lee High School in Georgia. He was principal at South Carthage Elementary School, Special Education and Resource teacher at Uffelman Elementary School. Later he became owner of Our Back Yard Leisure Specialties with his son, Buck.
Roger was baptized June 1, 1972 as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Roger loved Jehovah and is in the safest place he could be – Jehovah’s memory. It was his sincere desire that everyone come to know the truth about Jehovah’s Kingdom, with his son Christ Jesus as King, ruling over earth.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Christine West Bowman and father, Wilson James Tucker.
There will be a memorial service on Saturday, Sept. 1 at five o’clock at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness on the Gainesboro Grade in Cookeville with Brent Minnear officiating. Roger was buried in a private ceremony on Aug. 22.
Whitson Funeral Home of Cookeville was in charge of the arrangements.
Smithville Review (Smithville, Tenn.) Aug. 29, 2018
