JOHN KENNETH BOWMAN (AGE 86) OF INDIAN HEAD, MD.

John Kenneth Bowman, fondly know by family and friends as "Kenny, Johnny, Pop, or Pop-Pop" age 86, of Indian Head, Maryland, departed peacefully on December 18, 2016.

Kenny was born August 2, 1930, in Pisgah, Maryland, one of several children born from the union of the late Ulysses G. Bowman and the late Eva S. Bowman. After leaving school, he worked a few odd jobs within the Washington, DC metropolitan area, before accepting a position at the Naval Ordnance Station, currently known as the Naval Surface Warfare Center, in Indian Head, Maryland. He was united in holy matrimony to Mary E. Campbell on February 11, 1953, this union was blessed with 12 children.

On August 2, 1985, he retired from the federal government with 33 years of government service. After a short time, he decided to pursue a career with the Maryland State Government.

Kenny was an active member of the Jolly Gents Club and participated in various events until his failing health prevented him from doing so. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, dancing, cards (Bid Whist and Pitch), cooking, and playing the Maryland State lottery. If you knew Kenny, you knew he never held his tongue for anyone when he had something to say. He had the kind of personality that either made you laugh or made you cry. There was no middle ground when it came to Kenny and he rarely minced words.

Kenny was a proud man, a disciplinarian. If he told you he was going to do something, he was a man of his words. Kenny loved to sing and whistle. Some of his favorite tunes were gospel and country songs. As his illness progressed, it first took away his ability to whistle, then finally his ability to sing. Never during his long health battle did he ever say, "why me." On rare occasions, he would ask "how long do I have?" Our response was usually, "we don't know; the last time we checked, we did not see an expiration ticket on you," which usually satisfied him.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Ellen Bowman, and their twelve children, Vernon R. Campbell (Sharline), Kenneth M. Bowman, John A. Bowman, Vanessa A. Green (Nathaniel), Rene A. Posey (Rickie), U. G. Harrison Bowman (Charlotte), Larry P. Bowman (Cheryl), Timothy A. Bowman, Candy P. Lubin, Brenda L. Burton, Jacqueline N. Bowman, Lyndon B. Bowman (Stacey), twenty-five grandchildren, thirty-eight great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and seven siblings – Margaret Harvey, George C. Bowman (Deloris), Violet Simmons, Elaine Baker, Catherine E. Thompson, Francis Penny (Diana), Paul Bowman (Betty), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. In addition to his parents, Kenny was preceded in death by his siblings James Bowman, Evelyn Howard, Annie Gray, Charles Bowman, William Bowman, Wilson Bowman, and Blondell Swann.

Viewing, 9:00am until time of service, 11:00am, Tuesday, December 27, 2016 in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, MD. Interment, St. Charles Cemetery, Glymont, MD.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that you make a contribution in the name of John K. Bowman to the Kiwanis Club of Waldorf, P. O. Box 723, Waldorf, MD 20604.