A Brief History of Bowers Mortuary Supplies

The founder, Harry E. Bowers, had an extensive background in the Funeral Industry. From the late 1920's to the late 1940's he was employed by Harry Truman in his Oakland, California Funeral Home, much of that time as a manager. Mr. Bowers served as an officer in the U.S. Army during World War II commanding an ambulance company. After the war he returned to Trumans Funeral Home, and in the following years dreamed of owning his own Funeral Supply. The dream came true in September 1953 when he went in with a partner, Fred Walters, and started a business with $2000.

On January 1, 1954 Mr. Walters was bought out and Bowers Mortuary Supplies was born. Using formulas from Meinert Laboratories in Oakland, Mr. Bowers created his own brandname of chemicals, compounds, and cosmetics called COSMORT. Cosmort Concealers alone, have been used by discriminating funeral directors nationwide for over 35 years. In 1959 Mr. Bowers started another business in Modesto, California called Bowers Church Furniture. It was a very successful operation whose sales included the magnificent St. Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco, California. He sold that business in 1964 to put full time efforts at Bowers Mortuary Supplies in Berkeley, California.

Craig Bowers, Harry's oldest son, began part time work there and after college and marriage came on board full time. After a long battle with Parkinsons disease Mr. Harry E. Bowers died on November 10, 1979. His son took the reins of the business with his mother, Marjorie, until her death on November 10, 1988. Since then the operation of the business was moved to Penn Valley, California where the tradition of fast, professional, and friendly service continues.