Specialist E4 Terry Lee Bowman Jr.

Specialist E4 Terry Lee Bowman Jr., 39, or T.J. as those closest to him knew him by, passed away unexpectedly in Independence, MO on December 28, 2022. 

T.J. was born on May 7, 1983 in Frankfurt, Germany to Terry and Diane (Vogeler) Bowman.  T.J. grew up in the Pleasant Hill area where he attended the Strasburg and Pleasant Hill schools, eventually graduating with the Pleasant Hill High School Class of 2001.

On June 9th, 2001 T.J. was united in marriage with Melissa D. Luikart for 10 years and although the relationship wasn’t permanent they had two children together, Haley D. Bowman and Joshua L. Bowman.

On September 11, 2001, he joined the Armed Forces and was assigned to the U.S. Army Infantry School out of Fort Benning, GA. After graduating from special training in 2002, he was assigned to the 4^th Infantry Division out of Fort Carson, CO.  He was the driver of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle.  T.J.  eventually was deployed to Iraq from 2003 to 2004 as a “Room Raider” as he would so often call it in Operation Iraqi Enduring Freedom.  He was discharged with full honors in 2004.

T.J. was a defender especially of those he loved, his children, family, the list could go on.  T.J. had an avid love for all things hunting related.  You could often find him in the garage tinkering with cars or other projects.  T.J. tried to be brave and act like nothing bothered him while struggling with severe PTSD. He will never know the true impact that he made on other people’s lives.  He was loved, will forever be loved, and forever missed.  

T.J. was preceded in death by many relatives but most recently his beloved grandmother, Brenda Bowman. 

T.J. is survived by 2 children, a daughter and a son, Haley and Joshua Bowman, and their mother, Melissa Bowman of Harrisonville, MO; his parents, Terry Bowman of Harrisonville, MO, and Diane Bowman of Pleasant Hill, MO; 2 sisters, Miranda Patterson and her husband, Craig, of Lake Lotawana, MO and Ashley Sims and her husband, Justin, of Pleasant Hill, MO; 2 nephews and a niece, Craig Patterson Jr. (C.J.) of Lake Lotawana, MO and Jaxson Sims of Pleasant Hill, MO, and Mckenzie Sims of Pleasant Hill, MO; many other relatives and friends.

Cremation will be accorded per his request.  A graveside service with military burial will take place at a later date and time.  The service will be officiated by his Brother in Law, Craig Patterson. 

Family suggests contributions to be sent to his two living children and/or veterans suffering with PTSD. Please make any contributions payable to Haley Bowman. Please mail all contributions in care of Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.