Ben Bradford Dowler of Birch Tree, Missouri, died peacefully at his home on September 19, 2022, at the age of 83. He was born May 2, 1939 in Shannon County, Missouri to Paul and Lillian (Bradford) Dowler who preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death were his first wife, Carolyn (Pope) Dowler, and his son, Jeffery Dowler.
On November 6, 1976, he was united in marriage to Kay “Katie” (Hurst) Dowler in Birch Tree, Missouri. She was his heartmate and the love of his life. He is survived by his wife; one daughter, Terri Tompson and husband, Richard of West Plains, MO; three step-sons, William “Bill” Mangum and wife, Tammy (Campbell) of Haines City, FL, Roman “Russ” Mangum of Birch Tree, MO, and Wallace Mangum of Vancouver, WA; one step-daughter, Michelle “Shelly” (Mangum) Reed and husband, Timothy of Mountain View, MO; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; two brothers, William Dowler of Clemson, SC, and Wesley Dowler and wife, Emma of Mexico City, Mexico; and two sisters, Betty Hall and husband, Harry of Lexington, KY, and Laura Ann Zahn and husband, Frederick of Springfield, MO. There are also numerous nieces and nephews who will miss him dearly.
Mr. Dowler was a member of the Birch Tree United Methodist Church, where he served numerous leadership positions over the course of his lifetime. He also held many positions on boards and in activities concerned with farming.
Mr. Dowler graduated from Birch Tree High School in 1957, and attended some college classes at MU in Columbia, Missouri, at which time he found out he’d rather work with his hands instead of having his head in books. He moved to Springfield, Missouri, and was employed first with International Harvester assembling farm machinery and then at Fadler’s Produce. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire for four years working as an aircraft mechanic supervisor. Upon discharge from the military in 1964, he returned to Birch Tree to begin his own farm. He was a respected member of the farming community where he raised a wide variety of animals and crops over the years. He was a great mentor to many starting out in the field of farming. He loved working with tools and machines, large and small, and he could not be trusted to attend farm sales (especially with good friend Donnie Craig) because who knew what metal they would come home with to weld and turn into some piece of farm equipment. And he was no slouch in the kitchen either, his peanut brittle was always a treat and even Terri would eat his crockpot squirrel tips and gravy.
He had a gracious spirit, was supremely fair minded, had a quiet manner, and unpretentious ways. However, he will always be known for his ornery spirit, his tall tales, especially his cattywampus story, and his zest for living. He enjoyed woodworking, traveling with his wife in their RV, watching waves at the beach and family get-togethers. He was a loving husband and a wonderfully wise example for his children. Mr. Dowler was a blessing to all who knew him; hardworking and self-sufficient, he lived with his hands and loved with his heart.
