Gayle Bowen

Gayle Bowen, 90, of Canyon passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2017. Services will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday at the First Baptist Church in Amarillo. Burial will follow at Dreamland Cemetery in Canyon. The family will receive friends on Friday, November 24 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Brooks Chapel. Gayle was born on April 13, 1927 in Post, Texas to Mitchell and Nettie Bowen. He graduated with a degree in religious education from Hardin Simmons University and attended Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth. In August of 1953, he married Janice King. Gayle was a WWII veteran. He served in the US Navy aboard the USS Franklin. He was a minister at various churches in Texas including Lubbock and Canyon. He retired from the First Baptist Church of Canyon. He was a member of the Panhandle Singing Men, the Kiwanis Club, and the First Baptist Church of Amarillo. He was asked often to share his experiences in the Navy with children at local schools. He loved music and his church.  He enjoyed spending time with his family. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Shirley Ownbey and a brother, Jerrald Bowen. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Janice Bowen; two daughters, Tricia Shears and husband, Charles of Lubbock, Tamara Castagnetta and husband, Larry of Canyon; son, Steve Bowen and wife, Stephanie, of Amarillo; grandchildren, Jeremiah Wassom, Jason Wassom, Danielle Shears, Brad Bowen and wife, Emily, Trey Bowen and wife, Ally, Parker Bowen, Ashley Pruitt and husband, Aaron, Jaci Castagnetta and Josh Castagnetta; seven great grandchildren; brother, Boyd Bowen and wife, Mary of Midland; and numerous nieces and nephews.