Carl Lee Bowers was born May 30, 1937, in Lawton, Oklahoma to Frank C. Bowers and Lorene (Herndon) Bowers Smith. He went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at the age of 87.

The family will receive visitors Wednesday, September 18, from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at Whitt Funeral Home. Funeral services are planned for 10:00 A.M., Thursday, September 19, at New Hope Baptist Church West with Rev. Randy Southerland officiating. Interment will follow in the Duncan Municipal Cemtery with Jerrod Bowers, Zach Owens, Michael Moody, Dillon Blankenship, Hunter Bowers, and Manuel Esparza serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Josh Bowers and Blake Palmer.

Carl graduated from Duncan High School in 1955. He served in the US Army and was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany. Carl began working at the Duncan Banner on March 7, 1959 as an advertising representative. He worked for the Duncan Banner for 41 years serving in a variety of roles including Advertising Director and Business Manager. In the 1980's, the Duncan Banner acquired the Waurika News Democrat to which Carl was named General Manager and Publisher. He moved back to Duncan in 1990 where he was named General Manager of the Duncan Banner and later assumed the role of Publisher until his retirement on March 31, 2000.

On February 12, 1966, Carl married Norma Jean Tompkins and together they raised their three sons: Michael, Jon, and Kevin. He was active in the community, serving in the Duncan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Oklahoma Press Association, past President of both the Waurika Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Stephens County, Drive Chairman for the March of Dimes, and the American Heart Association Board of Directors. Carl was a graduate of the first Leadership Duncan Class and was a member of the Duncan Lions Club and the Duncan Rotary Club. He served 10 years on the Duncan City Council, including time as Vice-Mayor of Duncan.

Carl was a long-time member of Immanuel Baptist Church and an active charter member of New Hope Baptist Church West.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Cecil Bowers.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Norma; sons: Michael (Crystal) Bowers, Jon (Jana) Bowers, and Kevin Bowers; 12 grandchildren: Jerrod Bowers, Sarah (Blake) Palmer, Logan (Jordan) Bowers, Kasidie (Zach) Owen, Rachel Williams, Alex (Michael) Moody, Emma Bowers, Kaisie (Dillon) Blankenship, Kaleigh Bowers, Kyleigh Bowers, Josh (Cheyann) Bowers, Hunter Bowers; 4 great-grandchildren: Julian Bowers, Easton Gomez, Avery and Emery Palmer. Other survivors include various cousins, nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to New Hope Baptist Church West or to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.whittfh.com.