Larry Dwight Bowen

Larry Bowen was a truly cherished husband, father, Pappy, brother, and friend. He left this world peacefully on February 7, 2025, at his home in Norman, Oklahoma, at the age of 78.
Born on December 12, 1946, in the close-knit New Hope community near Lindsay, Oklahoma, he was a man who lived life with the purest joy. His humble beginnings on the family farm, where resources were scarce but love abundant, shaped his character profoundly. He attended the small New Hope School, and graduating from Lindsay High School in 1965. These formative years, marked by simplicity and hard work, laid the foundation for a life rich in purpose and filled with genuine connections.
In February 1966, Larry proudly joined the US Navy, serving aboard the USS Newport News CA148. His tour included deployment to Vietnam in 1968-69. Honorably discharged in November 1969, as a Radio Man Third Class, Larry carried with him a deep sense of duty and pride in his country.
Returning to Norman in 1969, Larry briefly explored the oil industry before finding his true calling with Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. in June 1970. For over three decades, he dedicated himself to exchange repair and cable splicing, working alongside colleagues who became his closest friends. He retired in February 2002, concluding a 32-year tenure marked by hard work and commitment. Throughout his career, Larry was an active and proud member of CWA Locals 6016 and 6014, demonstrating his dedication to his profession and fellow workers. Larry approached retirement with characteristic enthusiasm. While it offered more time for fishing and biking, it also came with an unexpected surge in "Honey Do's" - tasks he tackled with a servant's heart and a barely concealed eye roll. Never one to idle, Larry's restless spirit soon had him trading his fishing rod for a new adventure in the workforce. He first dipped his toes back into the professional world at Arvest Bank as a file clerk, before shifting gears to become a bus driver for the City of Norman and the University of Oklahoma in November 2002. From January 2003 until September 30, 2011, Larry found joy navigating the streets and getting to know the countless college students and Normanites that utilized public transit. Later, he'd embrace a career twist, delivering new automobiles to customers - a job that suited his love for roadtrips perfectly.
Family was Larry's greatest joy. He married Stefi Cummings in June 1970, welcoming daughter Dagny Renee shortly after. On November 17, 1975, Larry wed Patricia Williams in a Las Vegas ceremony, with cousin, Jody Mann, as best man. Together, they created a loving home filled with laughter and warmth. They had two children: Brock Jack Bowen (born May 16, 1983) and Paige Veronica Boydston (born August 4, 1985). The family first settled east of Norman in 1976, then moved to their long-time residence on Cambridge Drive in 1988, where they built a cherished haven for their growing family.
Larry's zest for life was evident in his outdoor pursuits. He found joy in biking, basking in the sun's warmth, casting lines with his best friend, Lloyd, and exploring the rugged beauty of the Wichita Mountains. His love for nature was matched only by his affection for people.
Larry is survived by Patricia Ann Bowen, his beloved wife of 49 years; his children, Dagny Renee Bowen and Paige Veronica Boydston and her husband Steven Boydston; grandchildren, Ashlan and Sidney Oswald, Benjamin, Pierce, and Presley Boydston; great-grandchild, Logan; and his brother, Charles Bowen. He joins in eternal rest with his parents, Carl and Anna; siblings Dorothy Johnson, Jess Bowen, and Marylan Dutton; and his son, Brock Jack Bowen.
Larry's legacy lives on through his infectious smile, unwavering love for people, and zest for life. He taught us the value of family, hard work, and life's simple joys. A beacon of light to all who knew him, Larry will be deeply missed and forever cherished.