David Bowie

David William Bowie was born on September 5, 1941 in Sedalia, Missouri to the union of Reverand Chester V. Bowie and Addie V. (Wallace) Bowie. He was proceeded in death by both parents, his eldest brother Chester V. Bowie Jr. and sisters Melba Mabin and Carolyn Smith. 

He graduated from Central High School in Kansas City, Missouri in 1959. After a year at the University of Missouri Columbia, he moved to Los Angeles California to attend California State University at Los Angeles where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. He completed requirements for a Master of Arts Degree in Urban Studies from Occidental College, Los Angeles California. 

David was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. He was initiated in the Upsilon Chapter in the Spring of 1961. He was a charter member of the Albany New York Alumni Chapter where he held the offices of Polemarch, Dean of Pledges and Keeper of Exchequer. Although small in stature, the impact he had on Kappa men he trained, inspired and mentored was large.

On August 25, 1979, he married his friend, love and life long partner Lucretia Dickson. 

David was a career public servant. In his thirty-three years of employment with the New York State Department of Civil Services, he held increasingly responsible positions in the Division of Testing, Classifications and Compensation, Affirmative Action and Staffing Services. Minority and women candidates for employment with the State of New York benefited from his commitment to equal access. He retired as a Staffing Services Division. 

His commitment to public service did not end with retirement. He served on the Board of Directors of the Haiti Development Foundations, Blacks in Government and the Albany Community Development Federal Credit Union. He provided consulting services to non-profit organizations, educational institutions and governmental units through his work with the Executive Services Corporation of Tri-Cities (ESCOT). 

At his passing, he was active with the Albany Chapter of One Hundred Black Men, the New York State Education Department Professional Assistance Program and the NAACP. 

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Lucretia; son, Malcom, granddaughter, Shatim; his brother, Arthur Bowie; and a host of nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 1 p.m. at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie.