BOWMAN, Leslie "Skee" Jr., Les, age 80, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Thursday, February 19, 2015 after a long battle with kidney failure and cancer. He was born on November 8, 1934 in Petersburg, Va. and was the son of the late Leslie "Luck" Arnold Bowman Sr. and Florence Bowles Bowman. He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard "Poopy" Edward Bowman. He is survived by his wife, Sybil Tinsley Bowman; children, Steven Gray Bowman (Amy), Leslie Ann Bowman and Jonathan David Bowman (Victoria); three grandchildren, Steven Leslie Bowman (Krystle), Connor Gray Bowman and Hunter William Bowman; and one nephew, Richard Edward Bowman Jr. (Stacy); and one niece, Lynn Bowman Gragg. After serving in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany, he attended John Tyler Community College. He was very active in civic and professional affairs, including serving as Mayor of the Town of Claremont, Va. and as city councilman in Hopewell, Va., as well as president of both the Hopewell Rescue Squad and the Hopewell Heart Association. Les also served as the Hopewell representative on the Crater Regional Planning Commission. He began his career at Hercules Inc. as a plant safety engineer. Then, in 1972, he accepted a position as manager of safety with Philip Morris USA. After developing and instituting a safety program, he was transferred to Louisville, Ky. as manager of labor relations, where he was responsible for negotiating labor contracts between nine local unions and Philip Morris USA. In 1980, he returned to Richmond as director of labor relations, assuming responsibility as lead negotiator for Philip Morris USA and all of their unions in Louisville, Ky., Cabarrus, N.C. and Richmond, Va. He received both the Chairman's Award and the Gold Ring Merit Award for his job performance. Les was highly respected by Philip Morris USA management, co-workers and union officials as always being fair, honest and trustworthy. He was a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers and served several terms as president of the Colonial Virginia Chapter. He also served as president of the Virginia Safety Association and was appointed by Governor Robb, Governor Baliles and Governor Wilder as a member and chairman of the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Commission. Les was a 32nd degree Master Mason and member of the Scottish Rite. Les loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing, spending time with family and his beloved dog, Holly, a rescued Flat- Coated Retriever, who was his constant companion until her death in 2012. Les enjoyed spending his retirement days on the Outer Banks, N.C., where he and his wife owned a home. A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 23, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 2709 Monument Ave., Richmond, Va. 23220, and will be officiated by Pastor Jim Sommerville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to New Century Hospice, (804) 353-2702 or Henrico Humane Society, (804) 262-6634.