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John Alexander Dowers, 70, returned to his Heavenly Father just after midnight on December 8, 2023, at Norman Regional Hospital. He was surrounded by his loving family, including his beloved wife of 37 years. John lived in Norman, Oklahoma, with his wife, Camille.
He was born on April 23, 1953, to George and Dorothy (Boyle) Dowers at St. Mary's Hospital in Enid, Oklahoma.
He was raised on the family farm between Carrier and Goltry, and received his childhood education at Carrier School. John was an extremely talented high school athlete, leading the Carrier basketball team to state tournaments and scoring as many as 35 points per game. Upon his graduation in 1971, he was offered a full basketball scholarship from the University of Rochester, New York, but chose to remain in Oklahoma to farm. John played Legion Baseball in Enid. He also proudly was a member of many men's softball teams, including the Ten Old Men and the Masters in Enid, playing with them in national softball tournaments.
He spent his youth on the family farm, learning wheat and cattle farming practices from his father. He ran a sizable hog operation while in high school and was an FFA member and State Farmer. He graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in 1975, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics and Business.
John and Camille (Armor) Dowers were engaged to be married on their second date, after meeting at a sheriff's sale at the Garfield County Courthouse. She was selling a farm for her law practice, with John and his father being the successful bidders. John used to love to say, "I bought the farm when I met Camille." They were united in marriage on April 12, 1986, in Enid, Oklahoma, at the First United Methodist Church. They lived in the family farmhouse and also in Enid. Farming was new to Camille, and she would often ask with wonder how he knew how to plant the crops, to which he would reply, "I watch the neighbors". John was a successful and respected farmer in Garfield and Alfalfa counties.
In 2001, they moved from Enid to Bricktown in Oklahoma City for a brief time after John retired from active farming. They then lived in Blanchard where John served the Blanchard United Methodist Church as Lay Leader. He worked as a logistics manager for Harrison Gypsum/Allied Custom Gypsum in Lindsay, and then in Norman. After he retired from Harrison Gypsum, John and Camille moved to Norman in April 2019.
He was a member of McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church, served with the United Methodist Men, and was a member of the New Horizons Sunday School Class. John's lifelong passions, in addition to sports, were history and politics. He supported the University of Oklahoma athletic programs, frequently attending live sporting events of all types. He recently celebrated his 70th birthday at the NOUN Hotel following the OU Football "Spring Game" with family and friends. He loved gardening at his home and continued to manage the family farms in Garfield and Alfalfa counties until his death. He also loved to travel with his wife, with destinations spanning the globe. John frequently celebrated those memories alongside his family, and enthusiastically professed the pride he had for his children in all of their pursuits.
John Dowers will be missed beyond words by his family, and never forgotten by all of those whose lives he touched. A Memorial Service honoring his life will be held at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church, 419 S. University Blvd., in Norman, on Friday, December 15, 2023, at 3:00 p.m., with visitation on Thursday, December 14, 2023, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Havenbrook Funeral Home, 3401 Havenbrook Street, in Norman.
He is survived by his wife, Camille, and four children, Emalie Suann Eaton (Chris), Evan Alexander Dowers, Erron Thomas Dowers (Tina), and Graham William Dowers. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Hailey Elizabeth Eaton, Brandon Tyler Eaton, Taylor Addison Dowers, Emily Madison Dowers, Arianna Isabelle Dowers, and Revan Alexander Dowers. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Esther Ann Dowers; and sister, Mary Sue (Dowers) Cobb.
Memorial donations may be made benefitting the OU Women's Softball Program Trophy Club, with checks payable to OU Foundation, 1185 Asp Avenue, Rm. 150, Norman, OK 73019, and marked "In Memory of John Dowers", or in his memory to McFarlin UMC Columbarium Project Fund, P.O. Box 6390, Norman, OK 73070, also payable online at https://pushpay.com/g/mcfarlinumc.
Through travels with his family, John yearned to rest and watch fishing boats on the seas. We realize now he was a "fisher of men". He was fun. He was entertaining and energetic. He drew people in. He was steadfast and strong ("as an ox", he would say). He was loving and loyal. He was passionate and principled. He was faithful and a father. He had a will to survive — to continue these traits — but in death he brings you all "good tidings of great joy". For "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants." Psalms 116:15 NIV. Love to John, and love from John to you. Panis Angelicus, bread of angels. He will be remembered and honored by his interment in the Columbarium of the McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church.
Online condolences may be shared at www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com.
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