Gary James Bowerman

Gary James Bowerman, born on June 2, 1941, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away peacefully and surrounded by his family on November 6, 2025, at Encore Assisted Living of Avalon Park in Orlando, Florida. He leaves behind a legacy of resilience, dedication, and a quiet humor that touched the lives of many.

Gary's professional journey began in the railroad industry, where he embarked on his career as a trackman with Chessie System. Through hard work and determination, he amassed experience which propelled him to GRS, where he played a crucial role in the development of the Metro System in Washington, DC. He made a notable return to Chessie System, now part of CSX, where he excelled as the chief signal and tracking engineer, contributing significantly to the industry until his retirement. Even after stepping away from railroads, Gary continued to engage in his profession by joining Harmon Industries, where he helped construct signal boxes for railways before retiring once more.

An accomplished individual, Gary graduated from Lee High School in Wyoming, Michigan, and was a lifelong learner with a passion for various pursuits. He was fascinated by metal detecting and coin collecting, and he found joy in expressing his creativity through oil and watercolor paintings. His curiosity led him to learn to play the harmonica, recorder, and keyboard, and he demonstrated remarkable technical skills by building computers and transistor radios, mastering six programming languages, and recently exploring tarot card reading.

Gary's character shone through in his personality. He was known for being straightforward and quietly humorous, alongside a resilient spirit that saw him overcoming significant personal challenges, notably a debilitating stutter, which he conquered through public speaking.

Gary is survived by his three daughters: Kellee Seif and her husband Michael, Kristi Bowerman, and Stacey Bowerman, who carry on his spirit and values. He is also survived by two beloved grandchildren, Benjamin James Seif and Joshua Owen Seif. His siblings, Virginia Falkoff and Vanessa Jenkins and her husband Robert, as well as his sister-in-law Kathy Bowerman, will cherish his memory.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Jay Clyde and Florence Virginia (Dilley) Bowerman; his devoted wife, Julia Ann (Gastfield) Bowerman; his two brothers, Rodger Bowerman and Jerome Bowerman; and his very special Aunt, Maybelle Greenwalt.

As we remember Gary James Bowerman, we celebrate his contributions to both his profession and his family, along with the warmth he brought to the lives of those fortunate enough to know him.

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