Harold Dowers

Harold Dowers, age 87, passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 27, 2021 at his home in Springfield, Missouri.  He was born on March 19, 1934, in Bagnell, Missouri, the son of the late Ira Patrick and Irmina (Gier) Dowers.

Harold grew up on the farm in the Ozarks surrounded by his extended family where he enjoyed many adventures with his late brother, Leonard Dowers and learned the values of hard work, honesty, integrity, faith and the joy of the out-of-doors.

Harold was the last of his family to attend a one room school and the first to graduate college at the University of Missouri Warrensburg.  He married his high school sweetheart, Helen (Chenoweth) Dowers, served in the Army, and worked at McDonnell Douglas as an avionics buyer for aircraft he loved so dearly.  Harold was a family man, enjoying 35 years of marriage to Helen, raising their family, traveling, camping, trout fishing, hunting, scouting, gardening, yardwork, photography, square dancing and was the treasurer of the Knights of Columbus.  Sadly Harold was widowed in 1990.

In 1995, Harold retired and married Patricia Ann Pierson.  They enjoyed 20 years of retirement, traveling, golfing, bicycling, trout fishing, grilling, reading, yardwork and most of all spending time with their extended family and many friends.   Harold lived a life of faith as a devout Catholic.  His storytelling, humor and boisterous laugh will be greatly missed.

Harold is survived by his children, Terry Ogles (the late Jim), Merrill Dowers and Beth Maldonado (Rene’), grandsons Matthew Ogles (Ashley), Andrew Ogles and great grandson, Grayson Ogles.  He is also survived by four stepdaughters Anne Burke, Kelly Barnett (Mark), Cathy Rhodes (Rocky) and Jenny Roth (Cameron), 13 step-grandchildren and 9 step-great grandchildren.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, a donation to Siteman Cancer Center would be appreciated.