C. Earl Bowlby
BOWLBY, C. EARL, 96, Died Tuesday, February 21, 2006. Earl was ret. Coleman Jr. High Principal and customer service representative Fourth National Bank. Services will be 1:00 P.M. Friday, February 24, 2006, College Hill United Methodist Church. Earl was born on a farm south of Mulvane to Louis T. and Lena (Payne) Bowlby. Earl is the last of three children. Earl attended the one room Cooper grade school close to the home where he was born, graduated from Mulvane High School, enrolled at Friends University graduating in 1931. Earl married his longtime sweetheart and class mate Ethel Krueger. Earl was employed at Walton, KS as teacher and athletic coach, mathematics and social studies teacher at Belle Plains Rural High School and later as the High School Administrator. Earls Wichita education employment started as a teacher in the Wichita School system and continued as serving as principal at Woodland Elementary, Central Jr. High, J. Marshall Jr. High and Coleman Jr. High where he retired in 1974. During summers and after retirement, Earl worked as a Fourth National Bank Customer Service Representative for 5 years. Prior to Earls poor health, he was active at College Hill United Methodist Church, Senior Services Retired Professional Business Mens club and Downtown Kiwanis club. Earl is survived by his wife Ethel. Memorials have been established with College Hill United Methodist Church, 2930 E. First, Wichita, KS, 67214 Downing Lahey East Mortuary.
Service will be 1:00 P.M. Friday at College Hill United Methodist Church with interment following at the Mulvane Cemetery, Mulvane, KS
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
WE HAVE JUST LEARNED OF MR. BOWLBY’S PASSING. MR. BOWLBY GAVE SO MUCH TO OUR FAMILY AS PRINCIPAL AT JOHN MARSHALL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL; THEN AS HE WAS SUCH A VISIBLE PERSON AT FOURTH NATIONAL BANK WHERE SON-IN-LAW RON BALDWIN THOUGHT SO HIGHLY OF HIM. WE THANK YOU, MRS. BOWLBY, FOR SHARING HIM WITH US AND SO MANY OTHERS. PLEASE KNOW OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. TOM AND MARJORIE HARTMAN
My Mother sent me Mr. Bowlby’s obituary in the mail and I just had to share about his impact on my life. I was a new 9th grade student at Coleman Junior High and felt lonely. I would usually sit in the hallway and read a book during the lunch hour. Mr. Bowlby would often see me and make small talk with me. I am certain that one reason I survived ‘Junior High’ is because of Mr. Bowlby’s willingness to stop and talk with this quiet and shy girl. May God comfort you in this loss of Mr. Bowlby, a caring man.
I first met Earl Bowlby as a student teacher from Friends University assigned to Coleman Junior High. Mr. Bowlby then became my first principal as I taught there during the years he was there. I remember the sense of ‘family’ that he gave to the faculty and the special times we were together to celebrate Christmas, other holidays, in-service training and vacations. It was a wonderful experience to have started my career under him and his kind and caring mentoring. He assembled a great faculty in those early years that made Coleman a special school.
Dearest Ethel, Our deepest sympathy is sent out to you. Earl’s passing makes our hearts heavy, but we know that the Lord has welcomed him with open arms. Earl was a true gentleman… gracious, concerned, interested, compassionate and a solid and true friend to so meany. This owrld was lucky to have had someone like Earl among us. May God give you comfort and care with this loss.
Dear Ethel, Our thoughts and prayers are with you on this sad occasion. Earl was a very special person and so are you. Everyone at Sedgwick Plaza is thinking about you today God be with you. Love, Dick and Nelda Price
I used to wait on Earl & Ethel Bowlby when they ate at Town & Country Restaurant. I found them to be delightful to talk to. Mr. Bowlby believed in his faith, contribute to the goodness of the world and treated everyone with care and respect. He lived a wonderful long life teaching by example. I am sure he is going to be missed by his wife, family, church and many friends.
Dear Mrs. Bolby and other treasured family members: My name is Jane Cramer Williams. I attended Coleman Jr. High School beginning in the 7th grade in the year that Coleman opened. As a gawky, rather unkempt, 7th grader, I found myself embarrassed and lacking confidence. However, Mr. Bolby, the principal at the time, changed my life. He apparently saw something in me that I had not recognized in myself and began to greet me every time he saw me by calling me ‘Miss Personality.’ Little by little, I began to believe in myself and, of course, put on my brightest smile each time I approached him in the hallway. My mother, Ruth Cramer, used to run into Mr. Bolby once in awhile at Dillons on Central in the morning and she was able to tell him what a difference he had made to me. In fact, once while visiting my parents in Wichita, my mother and I attempted to meet him at Dillons so I could tell him myself, but he was apparently not able to make it that particular morning. I wanted those of you who loved him to know that I believe that the confidence I now possess was kindled by Mr. Bolby.