Chester Sowers

Chester Clayton Sowers passed from this life November 10, 2009, surrounded by loving family and friends. He was born Sept. 19, 1927 in Bartlesville to Farlin (Sharp) Sowers and Jack Sowers. He graduated from Bartlesville High School, attended Bartlesville Junior College and Pittsburgh State Junior College. Chester was in the Army for two years during the Korean conflict, reaching the rank of Sergeant 1st Class, serving as supply sergeant at Camp Carson, Colorado Springs, Colorado. For 55 years he has been an active member of the American Legion Dale Peace Post 40. He was employed for 5 years with Continental Trailways Bus System as a motor-coach operator, out of Wichita, KS, Pueblo, CO, and Kansas City, MO extra board. In 1954 he moved to Vinita, OK where he became parts manager for the H. J. Schroers Chevrolet Agency, and married Pat McReynolds on Nov. 13, 1954. Over the years he also worked for Sellers Wells' Economy Auto Supply, Klein's Appliance Store, the Sellmeyer farm, and Lair and Son's Concrete Company for 17 years. He also worked several seasons as a fishing guide on the White River, below Bull Shoals Dam. He also at one time, tried long-distance truck driving but didn't like being away from home and his hobbies. He was a renowned fisherman, hunter, golfer, and outdoorsman, and put together a fabulous display of the varieties of fish he caught. He dearly loved to tell about seeing many famous entertainment people up close and personal in his careers and his Army service, such as Bob Hope, Spike Jones and the City Slickers, Kate Smith, Will Geer, Ray Anthony, Tito Gazar, Louie Prima and Keeley Smith, Los Indios Tabajares, Buddy Morrow, Merv Griffith, Burl Ives, Sonja Heinie, The Inkspots, Woody Herman, Homer & Jethro, Bob Crosby and the Bobcasts, Ray McKinley, Ted Weems, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nat King Cole. Chester is survived by his wife Pat of 55 years, half-sister Marsha Moore of North Carolina, many cousins and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and step-father H. C. "Craig" Campbell. Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday November 14, 2009 at the Welch Cemetery with Pastor Eddie Fontanez officiating. Services are under the direction of Luginbuel Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemories.com. Memorials may be made to the ASPCA 424 E 92st, New York, NY 10128, Therapetics 9433 E 51st Street Suite J, Tulsa, OK 74145, or your favorite charity.

Service Details

Saturday, November 14th, 2009 10:00am, Welch Cemetery

Interment Details