Mr Paul R. Bowser's Obituary
Paul R. Bowser
Celebration of Life Service for Paul R. Bowser will be on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 11:00 am in the Chapel of Langley Funeral Home with Dr. Ben Hayes officiating, The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 11, 2026 from 9:30 am until 11:00 am at Langley Funeral Home.
Paul R. Bowser, age 89 went home to be with his Lord on Friday, June 19, 2026. Paul and his twin sister, Paula, were born on October 25, 1936 at home at 1614 Haslett Avenue in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. He was the son of the late Warren and Virginia Hobough Bowser. Paul was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years Joyce Springer Bowser and his four brothers Stanley, Warren, Jack, and Roland and his two sisters Jean and Paula. Paul's surviving sister, Marjorie Mahar and her husband Bob live in White House Tennessee.
Paul and Joyce were the parents of Debra Joy Sergeant (whose husband is Dr. Curtis Sergeant) and Annette Rae Strausser (whose husband is Edwin Strausser). Paul had four grandchildren Tristan Paul Winter married to Kim with great granddaughter Harper, grandson Travis Winter, grandson Nathan Sergeant married to Lauren with great grandson Levi, and Granddaughter Megan Jones married to Ryan Jones with great granddaughter Caroline and great grandson, Aaron. Also surviving are two sister-in-laws Doris Davis of Wisconsin and Carolyn Jean Nordquist of Washington plus numerous nieces and nephews.
Paul graduated in 1955 from New Kensington High School in Pennsylvania where he lettered four years in Cross country and was captain three years. Paul sang in the chorus and was selected for the All Pennsylvania state chorus his senior year. He also enjoyed playing trumpet in his high school band. Paul then went to Barrington College in Rhode Island and Springfield College in Massachusetts where he earned his BS and MS degrees. He went on to become a science teacher for over 40 years impacting the lives of hundreds of students. For three years he also worked in a related field as assistant funeral director in Ventura, California.
One of Paul's greatest passions was his music ministry in the various states he lived. He was often a vocal soloist at patriotic events singing for over 800 people during the 9 -11 tenth anniversary remembrance and the national day of prayer in his community. He was honored to be a member of the Susquehanna Valley Choral in Bucknell Pa. for over 17 years under the direction of Dr Bill Payne of Bucknell University. As a member of the choral he was chosen to be one of the lead singers in the opera "Amahl and the Night Visitor. Paul used his musical abilities to bless many people at the churches he attended and saw his music as a way to bring glory to God.
Being a school teacher allowed the family the opportunity to drive cross country many times. Paul and Joyce visited almost all of the states, visiting family along the way. When their daughter, Debie, became a missionary Paul and Joyce traveled to Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong to visit their family and assist with the work. They spent their 30th wedding anniversary in Hawaii.
Paul loved sports and especially enjoyed watching the Penn State football games both live and on TV. He was also a Steeler and NE Patriots fan. While living in California he was an avid 10-speed bicyclist. His other hobbies included wood working, furniture refinishing, yard work and camping. He served as head of the board of elders for his church, chaired the Susquehanna Valley Youth for Christ and was on the board of directors of his local condo association. One of his joys was fellowshipping with the ARMS men at First Baptist Church Danville, Pennsylvania. ARMS was active retired men serving the Lord.
Paul was saved in 1955 by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ. His favorite book of the bible was Philippians. He remembers getting on his knees in his room and asking God to give him a verse from scripture that would convince him and that he could rely on for the rest of life with the assurance that God would do what He promised He would do. That verse was Philippians 1 :6 which reads "Being absolutely confident of this very thing, that He that hath begun a good work in you (Salvation) will perform (seal) it until the day of Jesus Christ (whenever He takes me home to be with Him or at His second coming). This has been Paul's life verse that has never failed him.
Paul and his wife Joyce also had a life verse. Colossians 1 :1 O "That I might walk pleasing, be fruitful and increase in the knowledge of God"
In closing, Paul loved spending time with his thoughtful, loving and caring wife Joyce, and his two daughters, Debie and Annette. He will miss them dearly but will spend eternity together with them forever. Praise the Lord.
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