Harold F "Buzz" Bowman Jr. age 91, passed away May 30, 2025, at his home in Washington City, Utah. He was born in Saginaw, Michigan on November 11, 1933, and was the only child of Harold F Bowman Sr. and Florence Arnold Bingham.

Buzz attended Culver Military Academy in Indiana for middle and high school. There he learned to combat fight, box, use fire arms and horsemanship. During the summer breaks, he attended the Naval Operations Program and participated in the sailing activities. He was part of the Naval Company band and played the baritone horn.

Buzz graduated from Michigan State with a bachelor's degree in forestry. He dreamed of becoming a pilot and joined the Air Force. While waiting for an opening at Flight School, he was stationed at Williams AFB in Arizona. There he met and married Elizabeth "Beth" Appleby from Chandler, Arizona in 1956. After completing his flight school testing, he was sent back to Lackland AFB in Texas to await the class opening. Due to Buzz's military school training, the Air Force assigned him to teach firearms and self-defense to the new enlisted men while waiting for flight school. He was often assigned to "Drill the Troops." Buzz also boxed completely for the Air Force.

Two weeks into flight school, Buzz was pulled out by a Government Agency to run covert missions into central America.  He was immediately flown to Honduras for briefing, fingerprint removal, and assigned to a five-man team. They were told "if you are ever caught during a mission, you were on your own." He was given an honorable discharge from the Air Force, sent home to continue his life, and called to participate in missions. Buzz and his team were involved in the Guatemalan Revolution. For several years he ran guns into Central America from Cuba to the anti-communist rebels.

His working life was spent with Dow Chemical, National Gypsum and finally as a stockbroker for Merrill Lynch. This took the family to New York State, Indiana, and back to Michigan. After retirement, Buzz and Beth lived in the Northport, Michigan area where they enjoyed sailing. Buzz's love was sailboat racing on his 37 ft sloop, Thunder. He had a crew of 6 that regatta raced in the Great Lakes. This enabled the family to sail and vacation the Great Lakes every weekend when he was not racing. Buzz also got into four wheeling and joined The Delta Four Wheelers. While serving as president for the group, Buzz was known as the "DUKE."

Buzz retired at age 60, he and Beth downsized their home, moved to ten acres of heavily wooded property on a hill overlooking Lake Michigan, and surrounded by Cherry orchards. He built a pole barn, had trails for he and his dog to walk, and planted gardens all around his property. He and Beth traveled the country, four wheeling, and enjoying the beauty of America.

While driving through the St. George area for many years Buzz was always thinking, "One day I want to live in this quiet little town." He and Beth bought a second home in the mid-1990s and started spending winters here. In 2000, Buzz was diagnosed with cancer. After his last treatment, they moved full time to Washington City. Buzz continued hiking with his latest dog, taking jeep excursions, and working out daily at the local gym. In 2006, Buzz was again diagnosed with cancer at the Huntsman Center in SLC.  He was told to go home and put his affairs in order, as he did not have long to live. He came back to St George, saw a doctor, given a monoclonal anti body, and his cancer was cured. Buzz went back to working out five days a week at the IHC Wellness Center. They wrote a news article about him that was published in the St. George paper.

In 2018, Beth passed away and Buzz had back surgery. Life slowed down a bit. He still walked his dog and did strengthening workouts. His neighbors helped with meals and household chores until he got back on his feet. His family: Woody, wife Sue, children Enrique and Alisia living in Michigan, Terri in Washington State, and Tamara, husband John, children Miles and Nelson in Ohio often came to visit.

Buzz wanted to learn how to make nutritious meals and eat healthy. Friends encouraged him to go to the St. George Sr Center for a good meal and information on healthy eating. That is where he met Sharon, a widow, and a one day a week volunteer receptionist. She shared information with him and sent him in for lunch. Buzz came back weekly on Sharon's workday and after two months asked her out on a date. A few months later, they discussed getting married. Buzz took her to his doctors to verify he was in good health. He was 14 years older and felt he could only promise her five years. They got married in September 2019.

Over the next year, Sharon got to meet Tam, John and their children, Miles, and Nelson when they came to visit Washington. Buzz and Sharon went to Michigan to meet Woody, Sue and their children, Enrique and Alisia. Buzz and Sharon started making yearly trips to Buzz's stomping grounds in Michigan, renting a house, and inviting all the Bowmans to join them. Sharon introduced Buzz to Florida, where they spent time and invited Bowman families to join them.

In June 2024 Buzz went to the hospital with a kidney stone. After taking x-rays and blood work it was determined Buzz had metastasized cancer that had gone to his bones in 60 places. He worked hard to stay strong and healthy. His doctor worked with him getting medications to fight the disease. Buzz had been going to church with Sharon, who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They prayed to have the help and strength they needed to fight off the cancer. They attended church and Buzz got to know the members and loved them. In turn, they all loved him and felt he was 'Special.'  In June 2024, Buzz was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. No matter how bad he was feeling, he stayed positive that he would beat his cancer. He called many of the church members and even neighbors who were ill to uplift them and give them encouragement. When he was out with Sharon, he always had a smile on his face chatting with those around him. He faced his disease. He was a warrior.

Unfortunately, in May 2025, his cancer spread to his organs. He wanted to stay positive and he would get better. Buzz spent two weekends in the hospital fighting off congestive heart failure, diseased liver and failing kidneys. He just wanted to be home in his recliner with his dog by his side. He had to give up the fight.

Buzz passed away peacefully on the evening of May 30, 2025

He was a 'Special Man' who will be greatly missed and dearly loved by many: especially his children: Woody (Sue), Terri (Mike), and Tamara (John); grandchildren: Alisia, Enrique, Miles, and Nelson; a great-grandson, Lorenzo; and Sharon L. Bowman who has been by his side and so proud to be called his wife.

There will not be a funeral service at this time. The family will have a celebration of life in the fall.