Nelson Calvin Bowles of Colbert, Okla., passed away at home on May 4, 2021 at the age of 96. He was born Oct. 25, 1924 to William and Grace Bowles in Emet, Okla.
He spent most of his life in the Colbert area with a short stay in Childress, Texas. He graduated as salutatorian of his class in Achille, Okla. He served in the Army in WWII. After returning from WWII, he worked at Lows grocery store and later as manager of Austin Shoe store in Denison, Texas.
He married Leola Henson in 1956. In 1966, he moved to Colbert, Okla., where he bought and ran Bowles Station for 55 years with his sons, Teman and Benny Bowles. Everyone in the Colbert and surrounding area knew him for his many practical jokes and pranks that he loved to play on anyone that walked through the door of The Station. He loved to work word scrabble puzzles and expected everyone to help solve that day’s puzzles in the newspaper. For many years he gave cold pops away on his birthday.
Nelson accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at the age of 12 and never let the opportunity pass to witness to others. Even during his recent stay in the hospital, he would tell the nurses about Jesus. His passion for supporting missionaries began while stationed overseas where he saw firsthand the work that a missionary was doing spreading the word of Jesus Christ. He was a deacon and Sunday school teacher for many years. He enjoyed singing in the choir and church fellowships where he was always first in line to eat. He was a member of First Baptist Church Colbert.
Nelson is survived by his daughter, Durene Bayless and James of Bells, Texas, Teman Bowles and wife Jeanette of Colbert, Okla., daughter Moneca Bowles of Colbert, Okla.; grandsons, Quincy Bayless of Krum, Texas, and Toby and Teddy Bowles of Colbert, Okla.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Leola Bowles and son Benny Bowles.
Pallbearers are Bill Busbey, Gary Hall, Joey Weger, Mike Lievsay, Jackie Malone, and Rusty Brigman.
Special friends: Bo Brown and Norman Briggs
Funeral will be held Monday, May 10 at First Baptist Church in Colbert, Okla. with Pastor Randy Lewis officiating
Arrangements under the care of American Funeral Home.