Larry has left the building Bowman retires as director of Civic Center

BY LOIS COOPER Publisher/Editor

On Monday, April 30, 2007, Larry Bowman left the Lottie and Arthur Temple Civic Center for the last time, as director that is. He plans to visit often as a guest.

Following eight years as director of the Center for the city of Diboll, Bowman shared the occasion with family, friends and co-workers at a reception, hosted by the city and held last Friday at the Center.

Bowman said, "This is my second retirement and plan to spend a lot of time riding my Harley and getting back to my hobby, painting."

The first retirement followed 35 years in the educational field, serving 25 years in Special Education Administration for five school districts including Diboll. "When I retired the first time, I spent my days rebuilding a 1978 Corvette and after nine months and the project completed, I decided I needed to go back to the workforce in some manner and the position at the Civic Center sounded to good to pass up."

In the position of manager, Bowman handles everything from booking arrangements to grounds maintenance and everything in-between. "It's a full-time job, but I have enjoyed every minute of it. We have had everything from weddings, proms, retirement parties and receptions. We also have a number of corporations that hold their annual meetings here at the Center, but everything usually goes very smoothly. I have a great employee, Bryce Kirkland, working for me who sometimes go above and beyond the call of duty to help me get the Center ready." Bowman said.

Bowman's resume is very impressive and this retirement marks another milestone on the ladder. He attained a degree in art from Stephen F. Austin State University; was a member of the Kilgore (Kilgore Junior College) Police Academy Advisory Board; a charter member of the Alamo Defender Descendents Association and along with his wife, Joyce, are former owners (1969 - 1985) of the Timberland Theatre in Diboll.

Joyce, employed by the Diboll Independent School District, and Larry have been married for 45 years and have two daughters, Shawna Lowman of San Augustine and Dawna Flowers of Diboll. The couple has three grandsons, Thoren Flowers, Timothy Lowman and Ramses Weldon Flowers and one granddaughter Keather Flowers.

During the retirement celebration, Bowman said, "I want to thank everyone at the city including the lovely ladies who handle the day-to-day business of the city; the city administration, the city council members, the members of the Diboll Police Department and Volunteer Fire Department and the warden at the local correctional facility, it has been a pleasure to work with them. I also want to say a special thanks to all the new friends I have made and to all the old ones I still have."

Addressing Bowman, and those in attendance, Diboll Mayor James Simms said, "I have known Larry for many, many years and we couldn't have chosen a better person to do this job. He and I came from the same 'upbringing' and know what hard work means and we're all better people for it. Larry has always gone out of his way to please, and the Center and the city have been rewarded by his presence."

The mayor presented Bowman with a beautifully engraved plaque and a pocketknife - because 'he is cutting his ties with the city'.

Bowman, who started his life's journey as an adult with his senior prom and a diploma from Diboll High School, ended this phase of his journey by preparing the Center for the 2007 graduating class of Diboll High School this past Saturday night and attending his ninth senior prom.