Maurice Bowman

Maurice Dwight Bowman, age 86, died peacefully on Thursday, March 5th, 2015, at his family home in Orem, Utah. He was married for 62 years to the beautiful Nellie Beuk of Hilversum, Holland. Maurice was born in Colonia Dublán, Chihuahua, México, on July 8, 1928, the eighth of nine children. He was the son of the late Claudious and Jennie (Robinson) Bowman. He honorably served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Mexico Mission. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Utah and his master's degree in Spanish Education from Colorado University in Boulder, Colorado. While serving a tour of duty in the US Army during the Korean Conflict, he and Nellie had the opportunity to live in West Germany. Maurice and Nellie later moved from Utah to México where they lived for 51 years, raising nine children. Maurice spent his life in service to others through his church activity and served in the Dublán 1st Ward Bishopric, as a counselor in the Colonia Juárez Temple Presidency, as Temple President in Oaxaca, México, and for multiple decades as choir director. He influenced and touched countless lives teaching band, chorus, art, painting, ceramics, drama, Spanish, and in leading choirs in school, the community, and church. He enriched the lives of the community by directing many major musicals, plays, choirs and bands. Maurice composed and arranged countless pieces of music, including translating many hymns and other sacred music into Spanish. He truly enjoyed spending time in his exceptional garden and on his cattle ranch, where he taught his nine children the value of hard work. He encouraged his children to pursue high standards of excellence and instilled in them a deep faith and love for the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is survived by his wife Nellie; brothers Bob of Loves Park, Illinois, and Donn (Dorothy) of Mesa, Arizona; daughters Patricia Andersen-Vie (Kurt) of Stratford, Connecticut, Terry Bybee (Jack) of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Judy of Park City, Utah; and sons, Maurice (Rosanne) of Bountiful, Utah, Gary (Laurinda) of Mesa, Arizona; Jonathan (Donna) of Kanab, Utah, Bruce (Lastenia) of Orem, Utah, and Troy (Anne) of Woods Cross, Utah. His son Stephen (Amy) preceded him in death in 2008. Maurice left behind 39 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. All who knew him celebrate his contributions to their lives. His life was an example of dependability, service, excellence, industry, and complete devotion to the love of his life, Nellie. All are welcome to attend a viewing and greet the family at the Sundberg-Olpin Funeral Home, 495 S. State Street, Orem, UT, on Thursday, March 12, 2015, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held the following day, March 13, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., with a viewing at 9:30 a.m. at the LDS Chapel located at 800 East 1200 North, in Orem, UT.

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