RAYMOND E. "PAP"
BOWERS, Jr., 76
Peoples Life Insurance

LAKELAND – Raymond Bowers, Jr. passed away Wednesday, April 7th in Lakeland, FL, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born on July 20, 1933 in Morgantown, WV, the son of the late Raymond and Myrl Pancoast Bowers of the Canyon Community. He was a member of the Canyon Community Presbyterian Church, formerly serving as a Deacon and Elder of the church. He was a foreman at Sterling Tubular until 1970 when he went to work for Peoples Life Insurance Company. He was the President of the Progressive Club, Peoples Life Insurance Company, Fairmont Office in 1977. He was also President of the Mason-Dixon CB Club in 1977.

Raymond was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the US Navy from 1952 to 1956 aboard the USS Lofberg and the USS Cotten. He was a member of the US Naval Reserve until 1960.

His hobbies included tinkering and woodworking. Many will remember him as the whittler, especially those at Highland City Baseball Park. He enjoyed watching his grandsons and great grandson play ball and often whittled something and gave it to one of the many children gathered around him to watch what would emerge from his piece of wood.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Thelma Menear Bowers, brother, Donald Bowers, sister, Lena Adcox and stepdaughter, Sheryl Melinda "Lin" Emerzian. He is survived by daughters, Jan (Mert) Webster and Karen Ayersman of Lakeland, FL, Kimberly (David) Power of Bangs, TX; sons, Raymond Bowers, III and Todd Bowers; and stepdaughter, Deborah (Floyd) Bowser all of Morgantown, WV; 13 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters, Janet Smith and Rebecca (Ronnie) Deusenberry; brothers, Richard (Jane) Bowers and Robert (Bonnie) Bowers; and former wife, Janice Bowers; and special friends.

Known to many, loved by all.

A memorial service will be held in July in Morgantown, WV.