Alvie Duane Bowen

Alvie Duane was born on August 13, 1932 to Alvie and Una Mae Smith Bowen in Gouldbusk, Texas. On July 2, 1955, Duane married the love of his life, Neva Harmes in Coleman, Texas. Duane, a graduate from Texas Tech University, was passionate about children and their education as was evident having been an educator for 32 years. Duane taught in Talpa, Texas, San Angelo, Texas, and Santa Anna, Texas before moving to Lubbock. In Lubbock, he taught at Wester Elementary and Iles Elementary. He was Assistant Principal at Wolffarth Elementary and the Principal at Wheatley Elementary before retiring in 1985.  Duane and his family owned Casa Escobar Mexican Restaurant for several years. Duane enjoyed bowling, which he continued to do each week until last Fall. Duane was a passionate reader and loved working crossword puzzles.

Survivors include his daughter, Karen Pitts and husband, Dale; son-in-law, Russell Patton; brother-in-law, Don Harmes and wife, Pam; grandchildren, Jennifer Swain, Carrie Jackson and husband, Matt; Rusty Patton and wife, Amie; Paul Patton and fiance Amy Stafford; Addison Pitts, Connor Pitts and Kendra Jarvis and husband, Clay; great-grandchildren, Jalen Wright, Jencie Wright, Tyler Jackson, Mattelyn Jackson, Evee Pitts, and Oliva Jo Patton. 

Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Alvie and Una Mae Bowen; wife, Neva Bowen; daughter, Carla Patton; siblings, Maxine Bowen, Ted Bowen, and Jo McClellan.