Melvin Aubrey Bowen Sr.

Melvin Aubrey Bowen, Sr. of Ozark, Arkansas died on Tuesday, November 12th in Ozark. He was a retired shop foreman from the Arkansas Highway Department in Fort Smith where he worked for 20 years. He was also a veteran of Desert Storm and retired from the Arkansas National Guard 142nd Field Artillery in Ozark as a Staff Sargent after 23 years. Aubrey was a deacon of the Altus First Baptist Church and a member of the Ozark and Coal Hill Masonic Lodge. He also served as mayor of Denning for 4 years and on the Altus School Board for 13 years. Aubrey was born on March 26, 1939 in Mountain Top, Arkansas to Melvin Eli and Leola Jane Ellison Bowen. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters Melba Bowen Phelps of Joplin, Missouri and Rosalie Bowen Harrison of Springdale, Arkansas. He is survived by his wife of 59 years Connie Jo West Bowen of Ozark, a son Melvin Aubrey Bowen, Jr. and wife Karan of Altus, daughter Vickie Bowen Baker and husband Daniel of Kingfisher, Oklahoma, daughter Angela Bowen Harris and husband JaRon of Ozark, one sister Ruth Bowen Blevins and husband Doyce of Afton, Oklahoma and one brother Charles Bowen and wife Judy of Alma. Aubrey is also survived by 10 grandchildren including Brandon Bowen and wife Nicole of Altus, Krystal Bowen of Altus, Adam Bowen and wife Jenny of The Woodlands, Texas, Kortnee Trent of San Antonio, Texas, Rylee Trent of Kingfisher, Oklahoma, Whitley Stewart and husband Derek of Ratcliff, Abby Gibson of Ozark, Bailey Pettis and husband Zach of Ozark, JaRon Harris II (Bub) of Ozark, and Jensen Harris of Scranton. He has 8 great grandchildren as well including Katlyn Holzman and husband Colby of Ozark, Brandon Bowen, Jr. (Bubba), Levi and Lilly Bowen all of Altus, Wyatt and Camryn Bowen of The Woodlands, Texas, Silas Wilson of Ratcliff and baby Pettis of Ozark on the way. Family will visit with friends from 6-8 p.m. at Shaffer Funeral Home on Thursday, November 14th at 2315 W. Commercial St. in Ozark. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 15th at Altus First Baptist Church with Brother Robert Nuckolls officiating and burial at Belt Cemetery under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home. Serving as pallbearers are Brandon Bowen, Adam Bowen, Derek Stewart, Zach Pettis, Brandon Bowen, Jr. (Bubba), and JaRon Harris II (Bub). Honorary pallbearers will be “The Breakfast Club” which includes David and Linda Aitchison, Rusty Cagle, Walter ‘Punkin’ King, Mac Bornmann, J.T. Harris, Ray and Dianna Cotton, Loyd Grigsby, Rick Cline and Bill Brockett.

Melvin Aubrey Bowen Sr.

March 26, 1939 - November 12, 2019