The Honorable Clifford Ricky Bowman

The Honorable Clifford Ricky Bowman, 65, of Mount Airy, passed away peacefully on Monday afternoon, May 2, 2022, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson, surrounded by his wife and children.  Mr. Bowman was born August 31, 1956, in Elkin, one of four children born to Clifford Ray and Sally Verlie Hodges Bowman.  Ricky was reared in the Turkey Ford community and graduated from Surry Central High School.  He received his undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and juris doctor degree from Campbell University in 1984.  Upon passing the state bar exam, he began operating a private law firm until May 1, 1995, when Governor Jim Hunt appointed him to the post of district attorney for Surry and Stokes counties.  The Honorable Bowman retired March 31, 2021, ending the longest active district attorney tenure in the state.  He belonged to the North Carolina Bar Association, the North Carolina District Attorney’s Association, Copeland Masonic Lodge #390 AF and AM, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Rotary Club of Mount Airy, and was a faithful member of New Home Church of Christ for more than 50 years.  He loved God, his family, and working outdoors more than anything.  Ricky’s life was far more blessed than most.  He lived the American Dream that many long to have, so he never took a minute for granted.  He and his wife were glued at the hip, as many referred to them as soulmates, and he was most proud of his two children.  His family has already begun counting down the days until they can hear his jokes and contagious laughter again.  He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Lorri Danley Bowman of the home; a daughter and son-in-law, Lindsay and Hal Epperson of Dobson; a son, Zachary Scott Bowman of Mount Airy; his mother and stepfather, Sally and Gary Morrison of Dobson; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Sharon Leagan, Annette and Winford Draughn, and Teresa and Fred Parker, all of Mount Airy; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charles and Selva Danley of Mount Airy; several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; several nieces and nephews; along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Mr. Bowman was preceded in death by his father, Clifford Ray Bowman; his maternal grandparents, Coley Walter and Dixie Ella Whitt Hodges; his paternal grandparents, Johnnie William and Annie Roberta Coins Bowman; and a brother-in-law, Dean Mitchell Leagan.  A service of worship and celebration of Ricky’s life will be held Sunday, May 8, 2022, at 4:00 PM at New Home Church of Christ, with Lindsay Bowman Epperson, Brother Tim Smith, and District Attorney Tim R. Watson officiating.  No formal visitation will be held.  The family wishes to express their gratitude for the love, care, and compassion shown by the staff at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home and the staff at the SECU Family House.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Research Institute, 29 Broadway, Floor 4, New York, NY  10006-3111; or the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home, 945 Zephyr Road, Dobson, NC  27017.  Moody-Davis Funeral Service in Dobson is serving the Bowman family.