Lawrence G. Bowers, Jr.

Very quirky and ornery, with a fond love for family, especially his grandchildren, are just a few words to describe Larry Bowers. A few historical events that occurred in 1936 included the completion of the Hoover Dam construction, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge opened to traffic, the United Auto Workers began their sit-down strike, and on February 27, 1936 Lawrence Bowers Sr. and Edith May (Cowan) Bowers welcomed their first born child, Lawrence Bowers, Jr., in Cincinnati, Ohio.

As a child Larry participated in the Boy Scouts and riding his bicycle. He delivered pies at Thanksgiving on his bicycle. One night while delivering pies in the dark, he crashed into a car and smashed them all! Larry attended Rome City High School and graduated with the Class of 1954. He then attended Tri State University.

Larry loved to square dance and roller skate at Happy Valley Roller Rink, and it was there he met his wife to be Ilene. As they got to know each other Larry called her quite a bit. Larry proudly served his country in the United States Army, where he was a forward observer and enjoyed driving the sergeant around in the transport truck. On June 16, 1959, he married Zefra Ilene Hursey. Larry worked at International Harvester for 35 years as an assembler.

Larry absolutely loved the holidays, and Christmas was his ultimate favorite. Larry loved decorating multiple trees, running his trains, and setting up his Christmas villages.
Larry was the life of the party, and got no bigger thrill than partying with his family and friends. He was also known for taking the entire family on a yearly three week vacation.

Larry volunteered and mowed the grass at Trinity Presbyterian Church, where he was a faithful member for many years. His other memberships include the Antique Boat Motor Club, Eagles, Choir, Orchid Club, Model Airplane Club, and the Blue Bird Society, which he was most passionate about.

Larry also enjoyed fishing, hunting & woodworking. Some of his favorite pastimes included annual visits to the Indy 500 from age 16 through age 82, a passion he also shared with his son Tim, and watching I.U.basketball, demolition derbies, and Family Feud, his favorite game show.

Larry will forever be remembered in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Lawrence G. "Larry" Bowers Jr., age 83, of Fort Wayne, IN passed away at 6:50 pm Saturday, August 17, 2019 at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne, IN. Survivors include his Wife, Zefra Ilene Bowers of Fort Wayne, IN; children Timothy (Joni) Bowers of Markle, Edith (Brian) Votaw, Joseph Bowers, and Sherrie (David) Conser, all of Fort Wayne; 10 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; sister Jean (Alex) Iwankowitsch of Cromwell. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Teddy and Andy Bowers, and son Charles Terrance Bowers.

Friends may call on Wednesday August 21, 2019 from 2-4 & 6-8 pm at Demoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, IN. Funeral services for Larry will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday August 22, 2019 at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Lindenwood Cemetery, 2324 West Main Street, Fort Wayne, IN. Memorial contributions in memory of Larry may be made to Team Tim's Kidney Fund (Larry's son). Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send the family condolences or sign the guest register book.