Services for Norman Clare “Doc” Bowen, Jr., 92, of Ada are 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Ada, Rev. Brian Matthews will officiate. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted at the cemetery. Following the graveside service, family and friends are invited to Wintersmith Park for snow-cones sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Ada in memory of Doc Bowen.
Doc was born December 26, 1926, at his parents’ home in Roff, OK and departed this life on June 29, 2019.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Norman C. Bowen, Sr., and Gladys Wood Bowen and his sister Margaret Bowen Clark.
Doc is survived by his wife of 34 ˝ years, Rebecca “Becky” Bowen of Ada, OK, son, Vance Bowen and wife Yolanda, of Edmond, OK and daughters, Jan Bowen Teel and husband Charles, of Ada, OK, Laura Bowen Whitehead and husband Will, of Norfolk Virginia, Joan Bowen Sizemore and husband Ray, of Byng, OK; step-sons, Joe Denney and wife Cheryl, of Lyons, Colorado and Rick Waugh and wife Jamie, of Alvarado, Texas. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Doc also helped raise his nephew, Jim Clark of Edmond, OK and was a mentor, supporter and teacher to many other family and friends in Ada.
Doc obtained degrees from East Central State University in Ada and worked two jobs most of his life as an entrepreneur with a good day job. Doc taught AARP safety driving classes for many years.
A major part of his younger years was spent serving in the armed services, first in the Navy and then later in the Army. Doc enlisted in the Navy during WWII and served in the South Pacific most significantly in the invasion of Okinawa and the occupation of the main islands of Japan after the war was over. Upon returning to Ada he joined the OK National Guard in Ada and was soon deployed to Korea. After his tour of duty in the Korean War, first as a forward air observer as a Corporal, an artillery platoon sergeant and an artillery platoon leader after receiving a battlefield promotion to 2nd Lieutenant. After returning from Korea he ultimately reached the rank of Major while serving a total of 23+ years on active and reserve duty. His last position was as Battalion Transportation officer.
Doc lived all his life in Ada, except during the Great Depression when his father N. C. had to move his family all over OK and even as far as Alabama looking for work to feed his family.
Doc worked at KTEN TV in their formative years in several positions. He worked with his father N. C. Bowen, Sr. in the cattle business, and later took over the family firm of N. C. Bowen Adjusters. He and N.C. with help from a flock of grandsons who would work for food raised Poll Hereford cattle and a family milk cow or two in Ada. As an entrepreneur businessman he owned part of B & W Letter Service with what was one of the first word processors the IBM Auto Typist. He owned the Dairy Queen on east main near East Central, worked at Evans Hardware then Howard Sheet Metal and Roofing as a job estimator on primarily their commercial jobs. Doc was a member of The American Legion of Oklahoma Post 72 in Ada for over 50 years. He was an active member of the Diamond K Kiwanis Club for many years and participated in community service projects which the club sponsored. Using his vast experience in the Dairy Queen he became a master snow cone maker. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Ada, and until his later years was active, and served, on various boards and committees.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to Doc’s favorites:
First United Methodist Church
Attn: Norman C. Doc Bowen Jr. Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 566
Ada OK 74821
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Diamond K Kiwanis Club
Attn: Norman C. “Doc” Bowen Jr. Scholarship
c/o of Betty Childers
119 N. Broadway Suite 14
Ada OK 74820
Doc would love you to help the Kiwanis Club of Ada fund the replacement of the damaged Wintersmith Park Kiwanis train and track damaged by the heavy storms.
Criswell Funeral Home
