Charles A. Bowlin

Services to celebrate and remember the life of Charles Amos Bowlin will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, February 9, 2024 at the People's Community Center at the Foster Estates in Bowlin Springs (428099 E. 270 Road, Chelsea, OK 74016). Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday from 3-7 with family there to receive visitors from 5-7. Charles passed away in Tulsa on Monday, January 29, 2024. He was 82.
Charles was born at home in Bowlin Springs, OK on November 29, 1941 to Leonard E. and Mary M. (Mayhew) Bowlin. He was one of thirteen children. Raised and educated in the White Oak area Charles first attended Booker T. Washington in Bowlin Springs then White Oak Public Schools. Following graduation from high school, Charles went on to attend Okmulgee Tech. On September 4, 1964 he married the love of his life Opal Wooten in Vinta, OK. Their marriage lasted for over 59 years and was gifted with two children, Damon and Myrna. Charles provided for his family working for IBM for over twenty-five years until his retirement.
Charles was a man gifted in so many areas of his life. He was passionate about God's Word and diligently studied his Bible. According to his family he could have been referred to as a bible scholar. He was active in the Vinita Church of Christ for many years, including leading numerous bible study groups. He led his family by example and everything that he did was based on the instruction he found in God's Word. When it came to family, Charles took every opportunity, not only to be involved in their lives but to let them know just how much he loved them. He looked forward to any kind of family gathering and the time of fellowship with those he loved the most.
Charles was a conversationalist at heart and had the ability to carry on educated conversations whenever and wherever they would present themselves. In fact, according to his children one of his instructions to them was to keep up with what was going on in the world so you could speak intelligently about world events. Charles liked to cook and especially BBQ. He enjoyed trying different recipes and sharing those he thought were the best with others. An avid sports fan, Charles had an uncanny way to remember facts about any player. His children said it did not make any difference which sport, their dad could tell you anything about the team or player. When grandchildren came along it might be said that Papa or Papa Charles became two of his favorite words to hear. You could say his smile was the brightest when the grandchildren came to visit.
When it came to community involvement, Charles did whatever he could to make a positive difference. He actively served on the school board for White Oak Public Schools for many years. Additionally, he served on the board of directors for Rural Water District #5, the Craig County Conservation District, and Grand Gateway. Most recently he was instrumental in getting the People's Community Center built and available for families to use. It was an accomplishment that he was without a doubt very proud of. No story about Charles would be complete unless you mentioned his great love of Bowlin Springs Grocery. He spent countless hours working there alongside his siblings. Always with a smile on his face and a story to tell or just to visit with the customers and friends he had made over the years.
A man that has left a huge legacy that will live on not only in the lives of his family and friends, but the community he called home. Charles is survived by his wife Opal, children, Damon Bowlin and Myrna Bowlin, grandchildren, Dylan, Dayton and Denton Bowlin, great grands, Kymbria, Kellani, and Kyree St. John-Bowlin and Aaron Bowlin, brothers, Hubert Bowlin and wife Connie, Douglas Bowlin, Doyle Bowlin, and sister, Linda Bowlin. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Clarence (Nick), John, Lee Elmer and William Bowlin, and sisters, Phyliss Wooten, Betty Kelley and Naomi and Brenda Bowlin.
In lieu of flowers or other condolences please consider making a donation in Charles's name to the People's Community Center at the Foster Estate in Bowlin Springs, 428099 E. 270 Road, Chelsea, OK 74016.