John William Bowman, 40, of Salina, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 21, 2026.

He was born on May 9, 1986, to Mike and Tam Bowman in Garden City, Kansas, where he was raised until high school. He completed his secondary education at Olathe South High School before attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he received a degree in chemistry.

As a little boy, John ran under the bleachers at a high school ball game, and his parents overheard him tell another person, “You’re not the boss of me! My mom and my dad are.” Another time John was playing cards with a family guest. The guest was dealing and looking at the bottom card of the deck. John called the guest out on it and informed him that it was common practice where he came from. John diplomatically told him, “Well, back here we call it cheating!” As you can tell, John always marched to the beat of his own drum. Between his headstrong attitude and his ability to find entertainment in things as simple as playing with his toes, disciplining young John could be a challenge. Fortunately, as he got older, these traits served him well. John’s attitude enhanced his academic and debate team performance while enabling him to overcome physical impairments and live a fulfilled life.

John worked at Smithfield Foods in food safety testing in Crete, NE, before moving to Salina to work at Schwan’s in nutrition testing. He worked as a salesman for Sherwin-Williams before pivoting to concrete testing for Kaw Valley Engineering and Schwab-Eaton. While maintaining full-time employment, John grew an interest in mowing and built a business mowing lawns in and around Salina. He was always proud to deliver great results and good customer service.

While living in Salina, John acquired a taste for hot sauce. John’s passion for the hottest sauces with good taste led him to grow superhot peppers in his backyard. He tried fermenting hot sauce with it, but found better results in making pepper powder, which he happily shared with those daring to try it. After John had grown large batches of peppers and started drying them, he invited his brother, Mark, to grind them. John would smoke some meat with the dried peppers as the rub. Few people enjoyed the hot pepper bark, but Mark and John bonded over spicy BBQ.

One of John’s true passions was BBQ. After years of smoking meats, John decided to build a custom-made smoker from a 500-gallon propane tank, which he was quite proud of. He continued barbecuing briskets, pulled pork, and ribs, serving the Salina area with excellent barbecue.

After succeeding as a pitmaster, John decided to try his hand at making beef jerky, another success. John would give away large batches of excellent beef jerky to friends and family around the holidays. Never wanting to settle, he repeatedly modified recipes to fit the tastes of recipients of gifted jerky.

John always found time to help those around him. Whether it was locals trying to start mowing businesses, serving in ministries, fixing up houses, or helping friends and family with technology and home projects, he was always ready with tools in hand.

John enjoyed hunting, bicycling, playing cards, figuring out new technology, playing baseball, which eventually morphed into umpiring, and shopping for the perfect tool or item, whether it be for himself or someone else. His keen intellect was put to use in all his endeavors, as he was ever the perfectionist in the things he was passionate about.

John was baptized on December 14, 1997, at First Baptist Church of Garden City. He was an avid church camp-goer, first as an attendee and then joyfully serving as a counselor. John took up interests in various ministries: running A/V for a church, serving at the Salina Rescue Mission, three mission trips to Mexico, transporting the elderly to church, and working on projects with At Stake Ministries, Crossroads, and Crosspoint churches.

John is survived by his parents, Mike and Tam; his brother, Mark; grandparents, Bill and Marlene Bowman; one aunt, Susan (Brian) Owens; and two uncles, Don (Mary) Bowman and Doran (Shayla) Zeigler; and cousins.

John is preceded in death by his grandparents, Jim and Genevieve Zeigler; two aunts, Tina Sue Bowman and Kim Bowman; and uncle, Kirk Zeigler.

A celebration of life was held July 30, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Salina, 843 Lewis Ave, Salina, KS 67401. Interment was at Shiloh Cemetery, rural Codell, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to Ronald McDonald House of Kansas City or First Baptist Church of Salina, KS, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N 8th St., Salina, KS 67401.