CUMBERLAND, Md. - Shawn Matthew Bowman, 42, of Cumberland, died Friday, August 10, 2012, in Rio, W.V.
Born March 20, 1970, in Ashtabula, Ohio, he was the son of James E. Bowman Sr. and Deanna (Lapinski) Bowman of Rio, formerly of Jamestown, N.Y.
He was a 1989 graduate of Jamestown High School, Jamestown, N.Y.
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Shawn Bowman
Shawn is famous from New York to California as a result of his remarkable football career. He was a standout offensive tackle from 1986 to 1989 for the Red Raiders of Jamestown High School. A four-year starter and the first-ever freshman, he was twice named first-team all-state and Street & Smith's All-American Team as a senior. He still holds the bench press record of 440 pounds for the Red Raiders.
His college career began at Merced Junior College in California from 1989 to 1991. There Shawn continued to excel, named conference MVP his first season; All-California and second team All-American as a senior.
Shawn played Division I football at New Mexico State. Starting 22 straight games, he helped them to their first win against in-state rival New Mexico in 25 years. He continued his love of football by coaching his sons as they played for the Cougars in Frostburg, Md.
After football, Shawn enjoyed life to its fullest. He worked for the State of Maryland Department of Safety and Correctional Services for the past 18 years, earning the rank of sergeant. He first three years were in the Jessup, Md., Correctional Institution. He then worked for the Western Correctional Institution and then went to the North Branch Correctional Institution.
He was a charter member of the NorthStar Church. Shawn had belonged to the F.O.E., Aerie 2883, Cresaptown.
In addition to his parents, Shawn is survived by his two sons: Loudan and Brayden, Mt. Savage; his brother, James "Jimmy" Bowman Jr., and wife, Dana, of Winchester, Va. He was uncle to Ashley Elizabeth Haymaker, Alea Nicole Bowman, Jonathon Edward Bowman, Jordan Doyle, and Ashley Doyle. His maternal grandmother, Genevieve Lapinski, lives in Sun City Center, Fla. Shawn's aunt and uncles include Mike and Phyllis Luman, Port Orange, Fla., Evan and Heidi Lapinski, Lyndon, Mich., Janine Feinberg, Walled Lake, Mich., John and Gail Smouse, Rio, W.V., Jim and Jane Boring, Rootstown, Ohio, Rita Lapinski, and the late Douglas Lapinski.
Friends will be received at the Upchurch Funeral Home P.A., 202 Greene St., Cumberland, Md., on Monday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.
The funeral service will be conducted in the NorthStar Church, 1 Conda Way, Rawlings, Md., on Tuesday at 1 p.m. with the Rev. J. Larry Stevens, officiating.
There will be a private interment in Sperry's Run United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers will be Dennis Hickey, Paul Kelly, Johnny Lease, Gary Lindner, Jeff Shimko, Daryl Llewellyn and Paul Pennington.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial donations to the NorthStar Church, P.O. Box 3088, LaVale, MD 21502.
Shawn touched many people and made the world a better place for all who knew and loved him. He dedicated his early life to football and then to his two sons, family and countless friends. Shawn left a lasting impression on everyone he met, in part because of his Spartan-like physique, but mostly due to his generosity and kindness. His incredible size and strength were matched only by the size of his heart.
Condolences to the family may be posted after Shawn's obituary at www.upchurchfh.com.