BOWERMASTER, James Henry 'Jim' 1929 - 2005

BOWERMASTER, PENCE, GEBHARDT, LIKENS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 10/18/2010 at 18:50:01

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Thursday, July 21, 2005

Jim BOWERMASTER

Jim BOWERMASTER, 75, of Clive, died Wednesday, July 20 at Kavanaugh House on 956th St. in Des Moines after a short battle with cancer. He was surrounded by family and loved by many (note: in Polk Co., IA).

Funeral services will be held Monday, July 25 at 11:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 3010 52nd St. in Des Moines, followed by a celebration of Jim's life in music and words at the church.

Jim was born December 21, 1929 (the shortest day of the year, but the longest night!) to James Elden and Cleo Marie PENCE BOWERMASTER in Fairfield, Iowa. He graduated from Fairfield High School, attended Parsons College for two years before transferring to the University of Iowa and becoming a lifelong Hawk fan and loyal member of the I-Club. He began a long and rewarding career in advertising and promotion at WMT Radio and Television in Cedar Rapids. It was in Cedar Rapids that he met and married the love of his life, Dorothea (Dottie) GEBHARDT of McGregor, Iowa. They were married in Cedar Rapids in July 1954. Jim died three days after their 51st wedding anniversary. He was preceded in death by his beloved Dottie, who passed away in 1988.

The BOWERMASTERs moved to West Des Moines, where Jim continued his advertising career. A drummer since his youth, Jim served in the Iowa National Guard's 34th Division Band and put himself through college playing on the road with territory big bands. He resumed his musical career when he formed the West Des Moines Kiwanis Dixieland Band in the early 1960s, and this internationally known band played for governors, presidents, and dignitaries locally, nationally, and internationally.

Jim's creative genius developed advertising campaigns for many clients and Jim developed such familiar slogans as "You Get More for Your Money at Midlane Financial," "Boesen the Florist: The Best Bloomin' Flowers in Town," and the familiar jingle for Capital City Cab: 28-28-111. His work in local advertising received countless awards and he served on many local and professional industry organizations. Jim retired from Midland Financial and joined the Smoother Sailing campaign, served as a volunteer reader for IRIS, and enjoyed traveling the state and keeping up with his family and close friends.

Jim was preceded in death his parents (sic); by his wife Dottie, and is survived by his brother Jon Pence BOWERMASTER of Urbana, Illinois; his daughter Karen Marie LIKENS (Jim), of Marion, Iowa; son James Mark BOWERMASTER (Mary) of West Des Moines, Iowa; son Kurt William BOWERMASTER (Kathy) of Des Moines. He was proud of his grandchildren: Jason, John and Stephanie LIKENS; Cole, Dane and Meaghan BOWERMASTER, and Kelley BOWERMASTER. Jim had a love for live and a passion for music, which was shared by many.

Memorial gifts may be sent to the 956th Street Kavanagh House, Hospice of Central Iowa, Des Moines 50312.

~~~~
Copied with permission from The Fairfield Ledger, Inc. IAGenWeb Bylaws PROHIBIT the COPYING AND RE-POSTING OF THIS MATERIAL IN ANY PUBLIC VENUE such as Ancestry or Find A Grave without WRITTEN permission from the poster ~ copyright restrictions apply.
*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Although Jim has a headstone in Evergreen Cemetery in Fairfield, he and Dottie are not buried there - it's a memorial stone only. Their physical burials are in Polk Co., IA.