THE BALLOON MAN

Circus fan remembered

Photo provided 

Jim Bowers poses with clowns at a circus. Bowers played an important role in bringing the circus to Beatrice and an upcoming circus in Beatrice will be dedicated to his memory.

By Scott Koperski/Daily Sun staff writer 

Saturday, May 12, 2012 

Beatrice, NE--For 17 years, Jim Bowers played an important role in the circus, both in Beatrice and Lincoln.

Bowers earned the tile “Mr. Circus,” during his nearly two decades of experience as the circus director at the Sesostris Shrine.

But Mr. Circus will miss his the next act.

Bowers passed away April 15 at the age of 73.

To honor Bowers, the upcoming Beatrice circus presentation will be dedicated to him, according to Shrine Circus co-director Ron Cerveny.

“It’s something that he really would have appreciated,” Cerveny said. “Jim wasn’t about seeking the limelight. He just did whatever it took to get the job done.”

Doug Gates, who worked with Bowers to bring the circus to Beatrice for the first time last year, said bringing the entertainment to Gage County was always his goal.

Read more: http://beatricedailysun.com/news/local/circus-fan-remembered/article_6e4981d5-745c-5829-ae70-547289bcac7b.html#ixzz1ukHIA3g8