Jim Bowman Obituary

Jim "Bo" Bowman
April 10, 1933
August 20, 2022

James N. Bowman (Bo), former coach and athletic administrator at the Air Force Academy (AFA), passed away August 20th in Corvallis, OR; he was 89.

Jim was born in Pana, IL and grew up in Charlevoix, MI. He was 1951 graduate of Charlevoix High School where he excelled in football, basketball, and track. He went on to attend the University of Michigan where he played football for the Wolverines. He was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.

Following graduation in 1956, Bowman was commissioned in the US Air Force through ROTC and earned his pilot wings in 1957 and proudly served from 1956-1964.

Jim married Janice Lee English in 1956 and his second wife, M. Mae (Evans) in 1978.

Bowman joined the AFA staff as an original cadre member as a physical education instructor and football coach in 1958 retiring in 2007 as an associate athletic director. Bowman stepped down from coaching in 1975 to focus his efforts on recruiting and admissions for all NCAA athletic programs. Notable highlights from his 49-year career were seeing 38,797 cadets graduate, overseeing appointments of nearly 14,000 recruited athletes, serving as head Freshman and JV football coach with 2 undefeated seasons, attending 17 post season bowl games, announcing AFA ice hockey games (30+ seasons), and membership in the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame and the Air Force Academy Athletics Hall of Fame.

After retiring from the AFA, he moved to Corvallis, OR with his wife Mae of 43 years. He enjoyed the time they spent together, attending family sporting events, outdoor walks, fly fishing, staying connected with people, and supporting AFA Athletics.

Bo built lasting relationships and had a significant impact on many. He will be remembered for his loyalty, commitment, dedication, sense of humor, and for going above and beyond to serve others. He will be dearly missed.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Linda Zimmerman, his mother, Marguerite O. Bowman and father, Elmont B. Bowman.

Jim is survived by his wife M. Mae (Evans) Bowman; his sons Jim Bowman (Jeanne Nazimek), Jordy Bowman, and Jed Bowman (Robyn); 5 stepchildren Randy Milstein, Sheila Johnson, Curt (Rae) Milstein, Russ Milstein, and Sarah Landry; 8 grandchildren, 5 step grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.

Services will be held at the AFA Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 20, 2022, followed by a remembrance/reception at the Falcon Stadium Press Box at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Air Force Academy Foundation a 501(c)(3) charity. More information can be found at (https://www.afacademyfoundation.org/).