Published Wednesday, July 01, 2009 12:26 PM

'The Straight Shooter' Joe Bowman dies

Associated Press

HOUSTON -- Marksman Joe Bowman, known as Houston's world-famous "The Straight Shooter," has died. He was 84.

Bowman died Monday in his sleep at a hotel during a trip back to Houston from a series of exhibitions and was in good health overall, his wife Betty Reid-Bowman told the Houston Chronicle.

Joe Bowman was a Tennessee-born bootmaker turned shooting expert who once made a pair of boots for Roy Rogers. In his Wild West exhibitions, Bowman could hit an aspirin tossed in the air and a playing cards edge from 50 paces.

He served as a consultant to actor Robert Duvall for his role as Gus in "Lonesome Dove."

Besides his wife, he is survived by son, Mark M. Bowman II, and daughter, Jan Bowman, of Dallas.

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