Richard Lee Dowler, 92, of Cole Camp, passed away Monday, November 24, 2025, at Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia. He was born on December 29, 1932, in Lorimor, Iowa, a son of Joe and Mildred (Courtney) Dowler.
Richard was raised in Lorimor, Iowa, where he worked at Dowler's Service Station for his dad and earned enough money to buy his first car which was a 1941 Ford. While in school, he was active in sports, especially basketball, and played saxophone in the band. After graduating from Lorimor High School in 1950, he enlisted in to the United States Air Force. He served his country honorably until his discharge on May 31, 1960.
On March 3, 1954, he was united in marriage to Bonnie K. Sharp at the Air Force Base chapel in Portland, Oregon. This union was blessed with the gift of three children: Toni, Ron, and David.
He and his wife, Bonnie, owned and operated Paintin Place Ceramics in Ralston, Nebraska, until retiring in 1995. They then moved to Cole Camp, Missouri, where he enjoyed woodworking and making clocks. Many of his clocks won 1st place ribbons at the Cole Camp “World’s” Fair.
He is survived by his daughter, Toni Haag and Larry of Lincoln; son, Ron Dowler and Tina of Omaha, Nebraska; grandchildren, Amber Benn, Ashley Dowler, Krystina Gallegos, Autumn Rubek, and Travis Dowler; and great-grandchildren, Toby Benn, Colby Benn, Aspen Cullison, Addi Gallegos, Gabby Gallegos, Easton Dowler, Louise Dowler, and Bodie Rubek.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Mildred Dowler, his wife, Bonnie Dowler, his son, David Michael Dowler, his sister, Barbara King, and his brother, Ray Dean Dowler.
Memorial services will be held at a later date with burial in Laurel Oak Cemetery in Windsor. Arrangements are under the direction of the Fox Funeral Home, Cole Camp. foxfuneralhomecolecampmo.com.
