GREENWOOD
FELSON BOWMAN of Greenwood, IN passed away peacefully Monday morning October 11, 2021 at The Franciscan Hospice House surrounded by his family. Felson, the son of a coal miner, was born April 13, 1939, in East Bernstadt, KY to Raleigh Vernon Bowman and Lillian Amanda (Pearce) Bowman.
After his father’s death in 1941, Felson moved to Cincinnati, OH and later Indianapolis. He attended Arsenal Technical High School where he played football on the 1957 undefeated North Central Conference Championship Team coached by Wally Potter. Felson graduated in 1958 and attended Northwestern University on a football scholarship, playing for Coach Ara Parseghian. He transferred to Butler University a year later and played football for Coach Tony Hinkle.
While attending Butler, Felson met and married the love of his life, Jane (Brock-Jones) Bowman, also a student at both Tech High School (1961) and Butler University (1965). Felson’s many jobs during college included being a Social Therapist for patients at Central State Hospital and a night-shift Veterinary Assistant at Lafayette Road Veterinary Clinic.
Felson started working as a Patrolman with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department while attending Butler. He graduated from Butler in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science Degree and continued working as a Deputy Marion County Sheriff. He was a Canine Officer on the first canine unit for the Marion County Sheriff’s Department. Felson and his partner Duke made many arrests, until Felson was promoted to Lieutenant as a Detective. As a Detective, Felson worked Undercover Vice/Drugs and became a Special Investigator for Sheriff Bob Fields. Felson was then promoted to Captain of the Marion County Jail, becoming the then-youngest Jail Commander at age 27.
While working full-time as a Deputy Sheriff, Felson attended Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis, earning his JD in 1968. After graduation, Felson practiced law with his good friends and mentors, Ed Lewis and Andy Jacobs, Sr. The law firm later became Lewis, Bowman, St. Clair & Wagner and the men and women he worked with were life-long friends. Felson was a prominent criminal and civil litigator admitted to practice before the Indiana and U. S. Supreme Courts.
In the 1970s, Felson went before the Federal Power Commission to plead for and secure transmission rights of the REMC for Southwest Indiana, known as Hoosier Energy REMC. When Hoosier Energy had problems purchasing coal, Felson thought he could manage to produce coal cheaper and with a profit; therefore, he started Solar Sources, Inc., which he grew to become the largest privately owned coal company in the Midwest, and founded Solar Sources Underground, LLC in 1994.
Felson was involved in local, state and national politics, supporting both Republicans and Democrats who he believed served Indiana well and who supported the ideals and values Hoosiers hold dear. Felson served as the Indiana State Police Superintendent under Governor Evan Bayh and was an Honorary Johnson County Sheriff. He was honored as both Kentucky Colonel by the State of Kentucky and a Sagamore of the Wabash by the State of Indiana. He served on President Bush’s Energy Forum, was a Founding Member of the Indiana Coal Council (served as President of the Board Directors), a Member of the National Bank of Greenwood Board of Directors, a Member of the Columbia Club and Safari Club International where he had earned his Master Measurement credentials, longtime member of Dye’s Walk Country Club in Greenwood and Copperleaf at the Brooks in Bonita Springs, Florida and attended Mt. Pleasant Christian Church in Greenwood.
In 2017, the Bowman family sold the surface mining coal operations and formed Bowman Family Holdings, Inc. (BFH). Felson worked with his son, Fred Bowman, and daughter, Jackie Bowman Ponder, to build companies involved in commercial livestock, including turkeys, cows, hogs and specialty egg operations in three states, trucking company, car washes and an underground coal mine. Felson was proud that all four of his grandsons were involved in some aspect of the family business.
Felson enjoyed time with his family (especially grandchildren), golfing, photography and reading. Felson’s passion was hunting. Felson and his son, Fred, made many trips to Africa, Canada, Alaska, Newfoundland and many locations throughout the United States. He took his grandchildren hunting and spent hours with them throwing clay pigeons so they could practice skeet. Felson attended every sporting event (and many practices), theater and choir events for his children and grandchildren from little league through college. Felson never retired and came into the office every day until his health prevented him from doing so.
Felson was preceded in death by his Mother Lillian Amanda (Pearce) Bowman, Father Raleigh Vernon Bowman, Step-Father Harry Taphorn, Brother-in-Law Ben Harlan, and Great Granddaughter Belle Louise Bowman. He is survived by his loving wife Jane of 58 years, Sister Sherry (Henry) Nicholas, Sister-in-Law Mary Harlan, Daughter Jackie (John Cangany) Bowman Ponder, Son Fred (Robin) Bowman, Grandchildren Jeffery Mark Bowman, Drew (Lehua) Ponder, Elena Ponder, Lillian Ponder, Grace Bowman, Wyatt Bowman, Peyton Cangany and Jasmine Cangany, all of Greenwood, IN; Nephews Brian Harlan of Greenwood, IN and Chad Harlan of Austin, TX.
Family and friends will gather for Memorial Visitation from 2-8 PM on Sunday, October 17th and on Monday, October 18th from 11 AM until time of Service at 1:30 PM at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN 46131 with Pastor Chris Philbeck officiating and will be live-streamed at www.swartzmortuary.com/obituary/felson-bowman. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society 5635 West 96th Street Suite 100 Indianapolis, IN 46278 or at www.cancer.org and Beacon of Hope Crisis Center of Indianapolis 6920 South East Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46227 or at www.beaconofhopeindy.org.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information 317-738-0202.
