Ray Bowen, Jr., 94, Bethany, Missouri (formerly of Blythedale) passed away August 13, 2024 at Oak Pointe Assisted Living, Maryville, Missouri. He was born November 16, 1929 at Mount Ayr, Iowa, the son of Ray Alvin and Verda Mae (Baker) Bowen.
He was a graduate of Blythedale High School in 1949 and in May was able to have a special celebration honoring his 75th year graduation, his daughter’s 50th year, his granddaughter’s 25th, and his great granddaughter’s high school graduation. After graduation he enlisted in the Marine Corps and while in basic training was honorably discharged due to his hearing issues. He would have preferred to stay and serve his country. He then returned home and spent the remainder of his life farming.
On June 12, 1952 he married Edwa Gene “Genie” Gillespie at “The Castle” in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Besides raising his family of four children on farms north of Blythedale, with Genie always by his side, he also enjoyed helping the men in the Bowen family move houses and dig wells. He worked on road construction while Interstate 35 was being built from the Iowa state line to south of Pattonsburg. After they both retired, he and Genie moved to Bethany and wintered in Arizona, Alabama, and a number of years in Mission, Texas where they enjoyed going almost daily to a music show or playing cards and games with both old and new friends. The desire of working his hands in the soil never left him. Even after Genie was no longer able to help him, he continued to plant and care for flowers at their home in Bethany. He was a member of the Blythedale United Methodist Church and later the Eagleville Community Christian Church.
He played basketball and baseball in school and continued playing baseball until his growing family required more of his time. He was the catcher while his brother-in-law Kenneth Gray was the pitcher and they were well known to be quite a winning pair for their team. He worked hard at staying “young at heart” and went both snow skiing and snorkeling for the first time after he turned 50. But he most enjoyed attending games and cheering on his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren at their sporting events. The last game he attended was on Father’s Day watching two of his youngest great grandsons play baseball. He was always encouraging the grandkids and was known to “occasionally” tell them what they could do to improve. He was also known to sit in front of his TV and tell the professionals a thing or two, too.
He enjoyed traveling, camping, fishing, and hunting with his family. He wasn’t satisfied until the family had built a shelter at the Bowen Lake for his family to enjoy for years to come. He even made sure it had a playground.
He was the most patient father ever when it came to taking his family to the city to shop. He would sit and wait patiently, sometimes what seemed like hours, in front of a fabric store while Genie and his three daughters picked out patterns and fabric for a new dress or costume.
He was a jack-of-all trades and could fix nearly anything that needed repaired whether it was plumbing, electrical, mechanical, or carpentry work. He never turned down a request from family to help them out with whatever they needed done and he had more energy in his 80’s than the younger ones did to work late until the task was done. His talents and helping hands will be missed.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, both sisters and brother-in-laws, Aileen (Kenneth) Gray and Bernetta (Willis) Smith.
Those left to cherish memories of him are daughters Rebecca (Roger) Hendren, McKinney, TX, Brenda (Alan) Hamilton, Ridgeway, MO, Alicia Bowen Craig, Blythedale, MO, son Greg (Sondi) Bowen, Blythedale, MO, sister-in-law Linda Davis, Sierra Vista, AZ, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 24, 2024 at Eagleville Community Church, Eagleville, MO under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home, Eagleville, MO. Burial will follow in the Cedar Hill Cemetery, Blythedale, MO. The family will receive friends from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to Cedar Hill Cemetery and/or North Harrison Athletic Department in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Eagleville, MO 64442. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com.
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