Leroy Wilson Bowman, 87, of Chaptico, MD, died March 6, 2007 in St. Mary's Hospital, Leonardtown, MD.

Born May 26, 1919 in Raleigh, NC, he was the son of the late John L. Bowman and Anne Mabel Downer-Bowman. He was the husband of Elise Thomas Bowman, whom he married May 30, 1971 in St. George's Episcopal Church, Valley Lee, MD.

Mr. Bowman graduated from Jonesboro High School, North Carolina in 1938. He was enrolled in Citizen Military Training Camp (CMTC) for two years during high school and participated in the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) prior to entering military service. Mr. Bowman served in the Navy from April 1940 to January 1960 retiring as Chief Petty Officer assigned to the Medical Corp. He attended basic training in Norfolk, VA and was discharged from Quantico, VA. He served in WWII and the Korean War. Mr. Bowman was stationed at the Naval Hospital in Guan, Mariana's Island at the start of WWII. He was captured on December 10, 1941 and imprisoned at Zentsuji Prisoner of War Camp, on the island of Shikoko. He served time at Osaka Prisoner of War Camp, and Hirohata Prisoner of War Camp. He remained a Japanese POW until the end of the war and was released to freedom in September of 1945. During the Korean War, he served on the USS Philippines Sea, CV-47 Naval Carrier.

Mr. Bowman continued his work in public service with the Washington, DC Housing Inspection Department from 1960 -1963, Health Education and Welfare as a U.S. Health Inspector from 1963-1967 and Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Division 1968-1974.

LeRoy W. Bowman and his wife, Elise T., were involved with defeat if the referendum for a petroleum refinery to be established in Piney Point, MD in 1973. The referendum jeopardized the environment of the Chesapeake Bay and the way of the life for regional waterman and farmers and the beauty of St. Mary's County.

LeRoy was a member of the Potomac River Association Board of Directors, and was instrumental in transitioning Piney Point Light House from a working lighthouse to the current museum. He worked with Congressman Bauman during the 1970's and was instrumental in maintaining the heritage of St. Mary's County's history. He was also a member of the Boy Scouts, St. Mary's DAV Chapter 26, American Legion Post 221, Avenue, MD, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Ex-Prisoners of War, American Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor and numerous other military organizations. He enjoyed animals and the preservation of wildlife.

Mr. Bowman is survived by his wife, one nephew, William P. Bowman, and three nieces. He is preceded in death by his brother, John R. (Jay) Bowman, Sr., sister, Ruby C. Bowman, and nephew, John R. Bowman, Jr.

The family will receive friends Sunday, March 11, 2007 from 2- 4:00 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, MD. Prayers will be recited at 3:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held Monday, March 12, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. in St. George's Episcopal Church, Valley Lee, MD. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be a Military detail. Honorary Pallbearers will be William Bowman, Jay Bowman, John Bowman, Brian Bowman, David Bowman, George C. Barns, Steve Reeves, Earl Newton, and Jackie Tennyson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Ex-Prisoners of War, National Headquarters, 3201 E. Pioneer Parkway #40, Arlington, TX 76010, Animal Relief Fund, P.O. Box 184, Hollywood, MD 20636, or any charity of your choice.