Obituary of Garry Bowers COL

Col. Garry Lee Bowers, 73, of Morgantown, passed away Saturday, December 24, 2011, at Monongalia General Hospital.Garry was born in Morgantown on July 12, 1938, the son of John W. and Winifred Bowers. He was a graduate of Morgantown High School and received a degree in Industrial Management from WVU in 1961. He began his broadcast career with WCLG in October of 1958, as an on-air personality while attending WVU and became Sales Manager in 1963. Always innovative Garry introduced the first radio-equipped mobile unit in the market in 1959. He was a founding member and secretary of the Daytime Broadcasters, which became the NAB Day timers Committee on which he served. Garry hosted the very popular âOld Trading Postâ on WCLG AM for 25 years. In October he celebrated 53 years in West Virginia Radio. Garry was the Charter President of Cheat Lake Rotary, a 32 degree Mason and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Garry entered into the military reserve service in 1966, as an armor scout for WVANG. Then he transferred to the air guard in 1970, as an information officer for the 130 Special Operations Group in Charleston WV. Garry became an Admissions Officer for the air Force Academy, a position he held for 30 years.He purchased WCLG AM and FM in the early 80âs and during the same time period he became Information Officer for the Air force Systems Command. He was elevated to the Secretary of the Air Forceâs Pentagon Staff soon thereafter. He retired a full Colonel as the Reserve Deputy Director of Air Force Public Affairs in 1998. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Linda Britton Bowers, three children, Marc, Michael and Heather Bowers and his faithful companion, âBentleyâ A sister Ann Rea Summers, In-Laws, Roger and Saundra Britton, Sue and Chris Christopher, nieces, Lori Britton, Kim Davis, Holly Christopher, and Wendy Rea, nephews, Dan Fowler, Jay Fowler, M.D. Rea and Troy Christopher. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one infant brother, Donald, nephew, David Britton and several aunts and uncles. Friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, from 12-8 pm on Wednesday, December 28. Visitation will continue at Spruce St. United Methodist Church, 386 Spruce St., from 10-11am on Thursday, December 29. A funeral service will be held at 11am in the church with Rev. Dr. John E. Allen officiating and Jack M. Johns serving as eulogist. Interment will follow at Britton Cemetery on the Halleck Road. Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com