Athletic Accomplishments
Born and raised in the Appalachian town of Pike, West Virginia. Larry Bowie and his younger brother, Tony, were orphaned as young boys and forced into farm labor as wards of the state. As teenagers, Larry’s father was found in Ravenna, Ohio and required to take the brothers to raise. In addition to attending school in Ravenna, Larry worked two jobs and played football. The most significant person in his life during this time was Bill Dickerson, from Kent, OH, who was vice president at B.F. Goodrich. Bill saw Larry play football in high school and was so impressed by his athleticism and skills in the game that he was essentially taken in by the Dickerson family. Bill arranged for Larry to get a football scholarship to Purdue University. He excelled scholastically and was a standout on the Boilermaker football team.
Larry was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 1962 and maintained a starting role on the offensive line as right guard. He played under Norm Van Bracklin and Bud Grant. In 1968 Larry suffered a career ending head injury, which required brain surgery, yet he continued a career in the National Football League as a scout for the Vikings. Larry married Karen in 1963, they had four children, one of whom is deceased. He spent his years outside of the NFL as a stockbroker for PaineWebber in St. Paul, Minnesota. Then he became involved in the hospitality business. He and wife, Karen, owned and operated several successful local bar and restaurants. Larry and Karen divorced in 1986 and remained friends and business partners. Unfortunately, Larry suffered severe symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) from his football injuries, as did many of his teammates. He was well liked by his friends and teammates. He was known for loving his family and his friends. Larry died in 2012.