Auburn – Lawrence R “Cotton” Bowmar, 89 of Auburn and formerly of Garrett passed away Sunday, February 12, 2017 at Laurels of DeKalb in Butler. He was born February 3, 1928 in Garrett to Charles E. and Emma A (Hiigli) Bowmar. Cotton was a 1946 graduate of Garrett High School and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Ball State University in 1952. He was a US Army WWII Veteran. He owned and operated Bowmar Dry Cleaners in Garrett for many Years and was former Vice President of Peoples Federal Saving Bank in Garrett and Auburn for 25 years. He was a member of the Auburn First United Methodist Church, served in the Peace Corps, member of the Garrett American Legion, and was a 60 year member of both, the Garrett Masonic Lodge and the Fort Wayne Scottish Rite. He served on the board of Directors of Peoples Federal Savings Bank, Board of Director for the Garrett Centennial Planning Committee, Garrett Hospital Board of Directors, Garrett Chamber of Commerce, was a Garrett City Councilman , a 17 year DeKalb County Councilman and coached youth Baseball in Garrett. He married Marlene Brandenburg on December 31, 1950 in Garrett and she passed away April 27, 1956, He married Norma Schwartz on March 14, 1959 in Auburn and she passed away January 28, 1987, He married Mary Helen Brown on May 4, 1996 in Auburn and she passed away January 27, 2012. He is survived by 3 sons, Scott Bowmar and his wife Wendy of Goshen, Mike Bowmar of Garrett and Tim Bowmar and his wife Jeri of Broken Arrow, OK; 3 Step children, Michael Brown and his wife Ellen of Auburn, Susan Turner and her husband Jeffery of Auburn and Peggy Dwyer and her husband Michael of Wilmette, IL; 4 grandchildren, Todd (Courtney) Bowmar, Megan Bowmar, Ashley Bowmar, Chelsie Bowmar, a great grandson Easton Lawrence Bowmar, 11 Step grandchildren and 14 step great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 wives, 2 brothers, Gerald Bowmar and Charles Bowmar and 2 sisters, Dorothy Musselman and Doris Habig. Services are 11 AM Friday February 17, 2017 at Auburn First United Methodist Church with Rev Jim Farrer officiating. Burial will be in Christian Union Cemetery, Garrett. Calling is Thursday from 3 to 8 PM at Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 1860 Center Street, Auburn and also 1 hour prior to the service at the church Friday from 10 to 11. Preferred memorials are to the Garrett Community Center or Auburn First United Methodist Church. To send condolences visit www.fellerandclark.com.