Obituary for Anthony E. Bowens
God saw you were getting weary so He did what was best. He came and stood beside you and whispered, "Come and Rest." Anthony Eugene Bowens, affectionately known as "Tony," was born January 26, 1939, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts to Mr. and Mrs. William J. Bowens. He was the eldest of three children.
He attended public and private school in Massachusetts. He graduated for Searles High School and Cornwall Academy of Great Barrington. Tony graduated from Lincoln University in Lincoln University, Pennsylvania in 1961, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in General Science.
Tony joined the United States Air Force in October 1961. He served in several stateside, and overseas assignments (Korea to Germany); most notable was being stationed at Brooks Airforce Base Aerospace School of Medicine. It was while stationed in San Antonio, Texas that he met and married George Anne White on June 5, 1964. Later, Tony was stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany where participated on the initial implementation of the Department of Defense Substance Abuse Program. Tony was awarded eleven commendations and citations, the highest being the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters. He retired at Altus Airforce Base as a Senior Master Sergeant with 28 years of service.
Tony then began his next phase in life as a social worker for the Department of Human Services of Oklahoma in 1990. His service to the people and community was rewarded, when he was recognized as employee of the Quarter and employee of the year for Jackson County in 1995. Tony retired from the Department of Human Services in 2009.
Tony’s passion for masonry began in April 1961, while serving as the Junior Warden for Lincoln University Lodge #141, in Pennsylvania. From that enlightening moment until the time he was called home, Tony accomplished several outstanding achievements within the Masonic order. Tony was a Charter member of the San Antonio Masonic Study Club, Past Secretary of Noble Star Lodge #227, Past Captain of the Guard of Lone Star Consistory #113, and Past first and 2nd Ceremonial Master of Moussa Temple #106 all of San Antonio Texas. He served as Worthy Patron of Blanche M. Bruner Chapter #17, Royal Patron, European Amaranth Court OES, Secretary and Junior Warden of Willie H. Dixon Military Lodge #143, and Past Senior Warden Past, Thrice Potent Master of the Prince Hall Military Lodge of Perfection, all of District 8 Western Europe.
Tony received the 33rd and last degree of freemasonry October 1976, in Washington, D.C.
Brother Bowens’ passion for the order did not stop there. He additionally held memberships and positions as Worshipful Master of St. James Lodge #229, and Excellent High Priest James Crane Chapter #37 of the Holy Royal Arch Masons. He is also a charter member and Past Worthy Joshua of Myrtle B. Scott Court #37 of Altus, Oklahoma. He was a member of Tobe Davis Commandery #1, District 8 Germany and George W. Chambers Commandery #40 of Lawton, Oklahoma.
Brother Bowens’ masonic travels lifted him to levels in the Grand Lodge and national positions as well. He served as the Grand Recorder and Right Worshipful Grand Senior Warden of The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Oklahoma, serving for a total ten years as secretary and President of the Oklahoma Commanders of the Rite. Brother Bowens’ held a historical 30-year tenure as the Right Eminent Grand Commander and Grand Thrice Illustrious Master of Herman E. Duncan Grand Council and Commandery. He is also a Past Eminent Prior for Knights of the York Cross of Honour (KYCH) having been bestowed with two Knight York Grand Cross of Honour quadrants.
Anthony Bowens is recognized as one of the Legends of Prince Hall Masonry District 8 Western Europe, Special District Deputy Grandmaster, Honorary Past Grandmaster, and Honorary Past Most Excellent Grand High Priest, all of Oklahoma. At the national level, Tony was honored as a Past Most Eminent Grandmaster of the United States Grand Encampment of Knight Templar and is the first one to be awarded the Knight Commander of the Temple medallion in the Jurisdiction of Oklahoma.
Past Most Eminent Grandmaster Bowens was bestowed the honor of Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the 33rd degree, Emeritus in 2009 in the Valley of Washington, D.C, and elevated to active membership in the United Supreme council in 2011 in the valley of Atlanta, Georgia. He also served as the Deputy of the Orient for the same period since April of 2011.
Tony’s love of God, family, service to his country and the Masonic order, were the primary ingredients that led his idea of a fun-fulfilled life. He enjoyed traveling and bird watching. Tony was an avid Boston Celtics, New York Yankees, New England Patriots and, Oklahoma State fan. Tony was indeed at home in the kitchen. Smiles and anticipation resulted when he produced his signature dishes including pancakes; If gold had a taste, it would taste like Daddy’s ham and pork roast. It was not what he said; it is what he did not say that spoke volumes! Tony was a member of Wheatly Heights First Baptist Church in San Antonio, Texas.
Tony leaves to cherish his memory, his mother, Mattie M. Bowens; his devoted and loving wife of 54 years, Georgeanne, two daughters, Shelby A. Bowens-McDade and Kyalla D. Bowens; one grandson, Collin Anthony McDade; two sisters, Maryella Bowens-Satinover and W. Loretta Bowens; one brother-in-law, Dr. Frank Satinover; as well as, a host of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, William J. Bowens and the family dog Rocky.
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He attended public and private school in Massachusetts. He graduated for Searles High School and Cornwall Academy of Great Barrington. Tony graduated from Lincoln University in Lincoln University, Pennsylvania in 1961, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in General Science.
Tony joined the United States Air Force in October 1961. He served in several stateside, and overseas assignments (Korea to Germany); most notable was being stationed at Brooks Airforce Base Aerospace School of Medicine. It was while stationed in San Antonio, Texas that he met and married George Anne White on June 5, 1964. Later, Tony was stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany where participated on the initial implementation of the Department of Defense Substance Abuse Program. Tony was awarded eleven commendations and citations, the highest being the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters. He retired at Altus Airforce Base as a Senior Master Sergeant with 28 years of service.
Tony then began his next phase in life as a social worker for the Department of Human Services of Oklahoma in 1990. His service to the people and community was rewarded, when he was recognized as employee of the Quarter and employee of the year for Jackson County in 1995. Tony retired from the Department of Human Services in 2009.
Tony’s passion for masonry began in April 1961, while serving as the Junior Warden for Lincoln University Lodge #141, in Pennsylvania. From that enlightening moment until the time he was called home, Tony accomplished several outstanding achievements within the Masonic order. Tony was a Charter member of the San Antonio Masonic Study Club, Past Secretary of Noble Star Lodge #227, Past Captain of the Guard of Lone Star Consistory #113, and Past first and 2nd Ceremonial Master of Moussa Temple #106 all of San Antonio Texas. He served as Worthy Patron of Blanche M. Bruner Chapter #17, Royal Patron, European Amaranth Court OES, Secretary and Junior Warden of Willie H. Dixon Military Lodge #143, and Past Senior Warden Past, Thrice Potent Master of the Prince Hall Military Lodge of Perfection, all of District 8 Western Europe.
Tony received the 33rd and last degree of freemasonry October 1976, in Washington, D.C.
Brother Bowens’ passion for the order did not stop there. He additionally held memberships and positions as Worshipful Master of St. James Lodge #229, and Excellent High Priest James Crane Chapter #37 of the Holy Royal Arch Masons. He is also a charter member and Past Worthy Joshua of Myrtle B. Scott Court #37 of Altus, Oklahoma. He was a member of Tobe Davis Commandery #1, District 8 Germany and George W. Chambers Commandery #40 of Lawton, Oklahoma.
Brother Bowens’ masonic travels lifted him to levels in the Grand Lodge and national positions as well. He served as the Grand Recorder and Right Worshipful Grand Senior Warden of The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Oklahoma, serving for a total ten years as secretary and President of the Oklahoma Commanders of the Rite. Brother Bowens’ held a historical 30-year tenure as the Right Eminent Grand Commander and Grand Thrice Illustrious Master of Herman E. Duncan Grand Council and Commandery. He is also a Past Eminent Prior for Knights of the York Cross of Honour (KYCH) having been bestowed with two Knight York Grand Cross of Honour quadrants.
Anthony Bowens is recognized as one of the Legends of Prince Hall Masonry District 8 Western Europe, Special District Deputy Grandmaster, Honorary Past Grandmaster, and Honorary Past Most Excellent Grand High Priest, all of Oklahoma. At the national level, Tony was honored as a Past Most Eminent Grandmaster of the United States Grand Encampment of Knight Templar and is the first one to be awarded the Knight Commander of the Temple medallion in the Jurisdiction of Oklahoma.
Past Most Eminent Grandmaster Bowens was bestowed the honor of Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the 33rd degree, Emeritus in 2009 in the Valley of Washington, D.C, and elevated to active membership in the United Supreme council in 2011 in the valley of Atlanta, Georgia. He also served as the Deputy of the Orient for the same period since April of 2011.
Tony’s love of God, family, service to his country and the Masonic order, were the primary ingredients that led his idea of a fun-fulfilled life. He enjoyed traveling and bird watching. Tony was an avid Boston Celtics, New York Yankees, New England Patriots and, Oklahoma State fan. Tony was indeed at home in the kitchen. Smiles and anticipation resulted when he produced his signature dishes including pancakes; If gold had a taste, it would taste like Daddy’s ham and pork roast. It was not what he said; it is what he did not say that spoke volumes! Tony was a member of Wheatly Heights First Baptist Church in San Antonio, Texas.
Tony leaves to cherish his memory, his mother, Mattie M. Bowens; his devoted and loving wife of 54 years, Georgeanne, two daughters, Shelby A. Bowens-McDade and Kyalla D. Bowens; one grandson, Collin Anthony McDade; two sisters, Maryella Bowens-Satinover and W. Loretta Bowens; one brother-in-law, Dr. Frank Satinover; as well as, a host of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, William J. Bowens and the family dog Rocky.
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Previous Events
Visitation
Monday
10
Sep
5:30 PM
- 6:30 PM
Lowell-Tims Funeral Home
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
Visitation
Monday
10
Sep
6:30 PM
- 7:30 PM
Masonic Ceremony following Visitation
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
Funeral
Tuesday
11
Sep
11:00 AM
Lowell-Tims Funeral Home Chapel
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
Interment
Thursday
13
Sep
1:15 PM
National Cemetery
517 Paso Hondo Street
San Antonio, TX 78202
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