James "Jim" Bowman, age 72, of Chillicothe, Missouri, passed peacefully on March 11, 2026, at Northland Rehabilitation & Health Care. He died of natural causes. A private memorial will be held by the family.

Jim was born on March 13, 1953, in Chillicothe, Missouri. He grew up on his family's farm,  where he developed his love for music. He sang at family gatherings and learned to play multiple instruments, including piano, harmonica, trumpet, and later, guitar. In 1971, his talent on the trumpet led him to attend the University of North Texas in Denton for 2 years. Afterwards, he recorded an album with The Virginia Wall Band as a trumpet player.

After returning to Chillicothe, Jim worked for Morton Buildings while helping his family on their dairy farm. He later found a successful and fulfilling career in insurance with Barnes Insurance Group in Columbia, Missouri, where he worked for over 25 years. His career allowed him to support his family, achieve success as a manager, and travel across the United States. He later worked at U.S. Bank in Columbia, managing investments before retiring.

In retirement, Jim devoted his time to his grandchildren, creating art, playing acoustic guitar, restoring tractors from his childhood, and exploring his lifelong interest in meditation and spirituality. These passions helped sustain him as he lived with diabetes.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Edith Bowman and James Elmer Bowman; his sister, Michelle Bowman; and his nephew, Samuel Clement Jones. He is survived by his sisters, Linda Bowman, Pam Ralston, E.J. Jones (Rick), and his nieces and nephew, Erica Christenson, Tabitha Jones, Dallas Jones, and Kate Roberts (Seth).

Jim is also survived by his son, Caleb Lee Bowman (Anna Marie), and grandsons Roman and Henry; his daughter, Alcy Marie Peel (Aaron), grandchildren Kaylee and Colton (Hailee) and great-grandchildren Ryder, Kylan, and Huxton; his stepdaughter, Jessica Nickell (Ronnie), and grandsons Steven Findling (Krystin) and Michael Findling (Megan); and Melody Brown, along with her children Brittney, Amber, and Austin, and several great-grandchildren.

Jim had a special love for breakfast, good coffee, and acoustic music. He will be remembered for his creativity, his love of family, and his expressive spirit.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Northland Rehabilitation & Health Care and Residential Hospice for their care and compassion.