Keith Bowman's Obituary
Remembering Keith
Keith was born July 21, 1948 in Kansas City Missouri to Ellen Marie Jackson and John Hyrum Bowman. His grandfather was the mission president in Jackson County at the time.
They already had John, David, and Nancy so Keith made four and he got to be the baby for 10 years. After a while their family moved to Anaheim, California where Keith attended Palm Lane Elementary, which he loved because it was lined with palm trees. He said he will never forget Miss Waterson. During this time his little brothers Greg and Ron were added to the family. He adored these two boys and couldn’t talk enough about them.
The old Chaffey College became his High School and he also liked that school because it had a real campus like a college. He was a typical teenager and got into fights and car wrecks but survived to get ready for his mission. During this time, he was surprised when his mother told him they were expecting another baby and Melissa became number 7 in the family.
He was called to serve in Mexico City, Mexico, and was terrified to go there because of all the stories he had heard of kidnappings and beatings. However, he loved Mexico, especially a family called the Tenorio family. Many families in Mexico opened their homes to the Elders and often had them over for dinner. He said his most unique dinner was when there was not enough salad for dinner so the sister went into the back yard and cut some grass to add to the salad. Keith had a very successful mission and returned home to southern California. (Ontario)
He attended Chaffey College for a while and then decided to apply to BYU in 1971. He was accepted and moved in with a few of his old missionary companions who he had kept in close contact with. One of his friends was Anne Naef and she lived in a place called the Elms in Provo, and as all Southern California students did in those days, they got together to party. Anne Naef’s roommate was Jeri Garner and the rest is history. They were married 2 months later in the Salt Lake Temple.
After 5 years they were finally able to have a baby who they named Josh. He was the pride of his father’s life. Keith had been at BYU so long he decided to just graduate in University Studies and be done. After Josh was born the family moved to Boise, Idaho, where Keith entered the Master’s Program in Business at Boise State University. He was able to stay on the Dean’s list while he worked part time, and was a full time Dad to 2 children because that is when sweet Kelly was born. She was the tiniest, sweetest, little thing. Keith had to set up a card table in the bathroom and use the toilet seat for a chair to study for exams because it was the only quiet place for him to study. After graduation he flew to San Francisco to meet with Bank of America where he was offered a job. The family moved to Walnut Creek California while Keith took the Bart train into the city every day. He was later transferred to southern California and was so happy to be back in his own territory.
While working in Southern California they added 2 more children to the family--David in 1981 and Brittany in1983. They were both so welcomed and loved.
Keith was still working in the bond market when Reagan changed the tax laws in 1987 and his firm, Fiser, had problems and was bought out by another company. Keith and his family moved to Utah where he ended up trading and selling bonds with First Security Bank and Wells Fargo. His health continued to slip and he retired while living in the West Jordan area. The West Jordan 8th Ward became a wonderful close group of people to the whole family.
In spite of severe health problems, he maintained a cheerful attitude. He has many friends and loved ones and we will miss his smiling face and practical jokes. We will miss him with all of our hearts.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 9 at 11:00 am. Bingham Creek Stake Center, 8539 S 2200 W, West Jordan, Utah.
What’s your fondest memory of Keith?
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Share a story where Keith's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Keith you’ll never forget.
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