Donald Bowman, 79, of Orange, Texas, passed away on August 30, 2015 at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm, Wednesday, September 2, 2015, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Randy Schirck will be officiating. Burial will be at Autumn Oaks Cemetery in Orange.

Visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 12:00pm.

Donald was born in Price, Texas on March 23, 1936 to Joseph Arlie Bowman and Pearl (Perdue) Bowman. He attended Carlisle High School and graduated in 1953. Donald worked in the oil fields for a time and served in the United States Army before hiring on at Spencer (Chevron Chemical) in Orange. At the same time he ran a rural route for the United States Postal Service. He was well known for his blue Jeep that did not seem to go over 30mph, and his dry sense of humor. He enjoyed sitting on the porch watching the weather and nature go by. He was a gentle man of few words but when he spoke, you listened.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents; his three brothers, Arlie, Cloy, and Olan; one sister, Iris Lee; his wife, Inez; daughter, Brenda Welch; grandson, Ty Norvell; and granddaughter, Sarah Bourne.

He is survived by his sons, Larry and Cathy Norvell of Vidor, and Randy and Julie Schirck of Houston; his daughters, Dee and Pete Dow of Corsicana, and Duska Bourne of Orange; son-in-law, Eddie Welch; sister, Glynda and James Quinn of Fischer; 16 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank LaDawn from Harbor Hospice for her wonderful care and kindness to our Daddy for the last 2 ½ years. She has been a great blessing.

Serving as pallbearers will be Josh Welch, Jeremiah Welch, Jonah Welch, Brian Schirck, Justin Schirck, and Jerrod Schirck. Honorary pallbearers will be Jimbo Norvell, Trey Norvell, Cody Dow, Trevor Bourne, Seth Bourne, and Brandon Schirck.