Herbert W. Bowen

HERBERT W BOWEN FUNERAL HOME OBITUARY Herbert W. Bowen entered this earthly realm on May 8, 1948, and departed these earthly bounds at age 76 to await an assured hope of a resurrection.  He passed on June 19, 2024. Herb was the son of Johnny Lewis Bowen and Mary Charles Barton, both of Tuskegee, Alabama. He moved to Albany at the age five and was raised by his loving and devoted aunt (“Mom”) Callie Olivia Burton, along with his cousin (“Sister”), Donna C. Starks-Tillman. Herb attended the Albany Public Schools and graduated from Phillip Schuyler High School in 1967.  While matriculating at Phillip Schuyler, Herb became renowned for being an exceptional basketball player.  He was a prolific scorer and acclaimed to have possessed the “sweetest jump shot ever.”  Herb was the leading scorer and rebounder for the fabulous successful 1966-67 Phillip Schuyler basketball team(the Falcons) that were the Class A, B, and Sectional Tournament Champions.  His exceptional play garnered him with the Albany Times Union Capital land first team all-star and a Scholastic Magazine All American recognition.  Ron Sontz, his high school basketball coach, was so high on Herb’s basketball acumen that he wrote to the University of Kentucky legendary basketball coach Adolph Rupp to consider Herb was for his team.  Coach Rupp sent scouts to watch Herb and made an overture to Herb to consider joining his team.  Rather, Herb accepted a scholarship to play for Lou Henson New Mexico State University.  After playing two years at New Mexico, Herb transferred to Walsh College (now University), where he led his team in scoring, averaging 22.8 points per game, and rebounding.   His phenomenal performances on the court earned him accolades and honors, including induction into Walsh University Hall of Fame as one of its top fifty players. College All American honors, and lastly, induction into the Upstate New York Basketball Hall of Fame. Herb earned his Bachelor of Art in History from Walsh College.  After graduation and his post basketball days, Herb served in state and municipal governments in various positions, served as sales representative for various companies throughout the country, but mostly served as a teacher and counselor in the school districts of Albany, Newark New Jersey, Atlanta, and Decatur Georgia. Herb enjoyed all forms of athletic pursuits including tennis, swimming, cycling, and golf.  He possessed an affable and engaging personality, garnering many friends and fans.  His presence, stature, and sartorial splendor afforded him the opportunity to be a professional model.  He became a dedicated and baptized witness of Jehovah. He is predeceased by his mother, father, Aunt Callie Burton, daughter Mia Collins, brothers Houston Barton, Raymond Carr, Glen, Eric, and Corey Bowen, sisters Deborah Carr, Cecelia and Lillian Bowen.   He is survived by his devoted “sister” Donna C. Starks-Tillman; his daughters Oriana Powell and SadeBrown; brothers Earl, Raymond, Samuel, and David Carr, Drake Lacy, Colonel Sims Jr., Wayne, Johnny  Jr., and Damon Bowen, Derrick King Bowen, Sean KingBowen; sisters Brenda Barton Fitzpatrick, Bernice Barton-Simmons, Mary Ellen Brinson, LaVelma Carr, Vicky Carr; his grandchildren Justin Collins, Jalen, Jayla, and Jayce Johnson; and, a host of nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will be at SL McLaughlin Funeral Home, 1226 Broadway, Albany, on June 27, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witness, 400 Albany Shaker Road, Albany, on June 28, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.

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