L. Henry Bowers

L. Henry Bowers, 96, of Mesa, formerly a longtime Casa Grande movie theater manager, died June 6, 2009 at Hospice of the Valley: Arbor House in Mesa.


Mr. Bowers was born in Lexington, Okla., and was a son of John E. and Mary B. Bowers. He attended public schools in Oklahoma and a school of theater management in Dallas. He managed theaters in Missouri, Texas and New Mexico before joining the L.F. Long circuit in Arizona in 1941. He retired as division manager in 1978, with the Paramount Theatre in downtown Casa Grande as his base.

He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, past president of the Casa Grande Rotary Club and a lifetime member of Elks. He married Evelyn McDonald on March 3, 1937. She died in 1982. He married Leta Myers of Eloy on April 28, 1985. She died in 2000.

Survivors include a son, Richard L. Bowers of Mesa; a sister, Myrtle Jackson of Norman, Okla.; and two grandchildren. In addition to his wives, he was preceded in death by a brother, Ray Bowers; a sister, Helen Murphy; and half-sister and -brothers Ella, Roy and Oscar Boydston.

No service is planned at Mr. Bowers' request.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel was in charge of arrangements.