Paul McKee Bowden, 76, passed peacefully from this earth on Friday, February 9, 2024, in Springfield, Missouri.

He was born on August 9, 1947 to Mary Louise Kenney and Henry Edward Bowden in Lubbock, Texas as the fourth child and beloved brother of nine siblings. Paul was a devoted Catholic and strove to share his Christian faith and provide guidance, compassion, and hope to everyone he encountered in life.  He served his nation proudly as a United States Marine from 1969 to 1971 and was a veteran of the Vietnam war.

Paul is survived by his wife, Carol J. Kenjalo, having met in Pensacola, Florida, while each was stationed there, he as a Marine and she in the U.S. Navy. They married on July 6, 1971 in Mobile, Alabama following a whirlwind romance and Paul is survived by their four children, Christina Louise & Lonny Williams of Aubrey, Texas, Jennifer Lea & Jeremy Tyler of Krum, Texas, Jacob Michael & Linda Bowden of Mt. Vernon, Missouri, and Amanda Grace & Barry Leming of Gainesville, Texas. Paul celebrated the inclusion and birth of each of the couple's thirteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren (thus far) and is survived by all. He is also survived by brother Kenney Bowden, sister Eddie Lou Rodgers, and brother Timothy Bowden, along with many beloved nieces and nephews.

Paul is preceded in death by his parents and five of his siblings.

A celebration of life  will be held Tuesday, February 21, 2024. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 am. at Klinger Cope Family Funeral Home in Springfield, Missouri. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 am. Interment with full military honors will conducted at  the Missouri  Veteran's Cemetery at 12:40 pm.