Lawrence Timothy Bowen was born in April of 1928 to Bennett and Sarah Bowen. Lawrence was always the hardest-working man in the room. As a young man, he left home and found work as a cowboy on multiple ranches across Kansas. He was later called up to serve in the Army during the Korean War. After spending time in Alaska and returning to Atoka County, he met the love of his life, Wanda Lucille Wills; they settled down on 80 acres and began establishing the Bowen Ranch. They raised two sons and spent 56 years together before her passing in 2006. He worked in the prison system in multiple locations for 20 years before retiring. Not only was Lawrence a rancher, he was a true cattleman and was known for raising some of the best cattle in this part of the country year after year. He was a great dozer operator, clearing many acres of land throughout southern Oklahoma. There was not a safe tree in the country while he was around. He would say, "If you got trees, you got problems." Lawrence loved to travel and tell stories of his many fishing trips. He caught fish from the Gulf of Mexico to the waters of northern Canada and everywhere in between. Somehow, he always managed to catch more fish than everyone else.  Lawrence was a fantastic storyteller; his stories never changed, even as he got older. He was sharp as a tack right up until the end. Lawrence lived a life anyone would be lucky to have. To know him was to love him, and his absence has left a mark on the hearts of everyone who knew him.
Lawrence is survived by his sons, Ronnie Bowen and wife Joyce of Stringtown, OK, Eddie Bowen and wife Dian of Enid, OK; grandson, Dr. Ash Bowen and wife Kate of Edmond, OK; granddaughters, Jenifer Christopher and husband Timothy of Wilburton, OK, Joann Calhoun and husband Eric of Kinta, OK; great grandchildren, Ann Bowen, Elizbeth Bowen, Andrew Bowen of Edmond, OK, Josh Wilson, Brandon Christopher, Morgan Range; sister, Ruth Pieschl of Hoxie, KS; brother, Bill Bowen of Tom Bean, TX; special relatives, Joyce Bowen and Megan Burleson; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear and loved friends.
Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents, Bennett Lee and Sarah Elizebeth (Driskell) Bowen; wife, Wanda L. Bowen; brothers, Junior, Ernest, George; sisters, Loretta, Mildred, Kathern.
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DATE OF SERVICES: 01:00 PM Friday, January 24th, 2025
PLACE OF SERVICES: Brown's Funeral Chapel, Atoka, Oklahoma
OFFICIATING: Bro. Joey Lansdale
INTERMENT: Stringtown Cemetery, Stringtown, Oklahoma
CASKETBEARERS: James York, Randy York, Jimmy Wills, Darvin Meurisse, Eddie Thompson, Russell York
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: Timothy Stephen, Larry Meurisse, Darrell Kemp, Casey York, Adam Burleson
CONDOLENCES MAY BE SENT TO THE FAMILY BY EMAIL TO: BROWNS@ATOKA.NET.  PLEASE REFERENCE THE NAME OF THE DECEASED IN YOUR CORRESPONDENCE
FAMILY NIGHT WILL BE THURSDAY 6-8PM.

SERVICES UNDER THE DIRECTION OF
BROWN'S FUNERAL SERVICE - ATOKA, OK