Boyce Arville Bowdon

Boyce A. Bowdon, Ph.D., 91 of Oklahoma City, passed away this week surrounded by Arlene, his wife of 63 years, and daughters Gina and Melody following a brief illness.

Arlene was the love of his life, his partner in all things, and his best friend. It is impossible to capture in words the love that they shared, but many who knew them witnessed and appreciated it. He enjoyed nothing more than being with her and their children, whom he supported and loved always. Any time the four of us were together was his idea of fun.

His daughters loved to listen to stories about his childhood in a large, loving, and adventurous family who liked to travel and were known for keeping chickens, a cow, and a notorious rug-eating goat in their yard in their (non-rural) hometown of Jonesboro, Arkansas, where he lived with father Ervin Foster (E.F.), mother Metta, sister Pauline, and brothers Foster, Leon, and Raymond. He was the last living member of the family for many years, which he spent supporting the children and grandchildren of his much-loved brothers and sister. He had to deal with great tragedy at a pivotal moment when he was a young adult, but went on to build a productive, positive life full of prayer and service and joy. 

Boyce impacted countless lives through his long career as a minister, church executive, and writer. He attended Arkansas State University and majored in radio broadcasting and later received graduate degrees from Clarksville School of Theology and Vanderbilt University. He worked in a variety of jobs in his early years, including driving a tank truck in his family business. At one point in the early 1970s he worked simultaneously as a minister of two churches, a rural school bus driver, editor of a local newspaper, a freelance writer, and a creator of Pizza Planet crossword puzzles, all while raising two small daughters alongside Arlene and writing his dissertation, which would eventually be revised and published as his first book, Empowered: Living Experiences of Talking with God. 

In addition to being a devoted family man, Boyce had an outstanding career with accolades and achievements too numerous to mention. After serving in a series of United Methodist churches in and around OKC, he took on the role of Director of Communications for the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church, which he held for more than 20 years. This job used his unique combination of gifts, including theological acumen, journalistic instincts, and serious people skills. It involved managing strategic communications, developing the copy and photos for two robust newspapers a month (Contact), and producing television shows. He developed an elaborate mail-based program that allowed churches around the state to circulate original faith-centered and inspirational materials before most communities in Oklahoma had cable TV. In the 1990s he was a national pioneer in internet communication for churches and other nonprofit organizations, recognizing early on what a powerful tool this could be. He was also a national model for crisis communicators. He was on the ground on the day of the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City within minutes and worked for years to highlight the heroic accomplishments of many people associated with it. He was inducted into the United Methodist Communicators Hall of Fame in 2013. 

Boyce thought of himself always as a writer, publishing three books, numerous collections of Sunday school lessons used in classes around the country, and countless award-winning articles and photos in magazines and other publications. He continued to serve as a pastor for many friends and family members long after he left that full-time role, holding weddings and memorials and offering support for his many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. In every position he held he cared about lifting up the positive in the world and championing those who needed it, and he was never afraid of a righteous fight. He had a special soft spot for people who triumphed over adversity and grew into helpers themselves. He loved to tell their stories. 

If you want to honor him and his legacy, love your neighbor. Treat those around you with kindness and respect, as he did to the very end, and support leaders who uphold these values. Give your energy and resources to groups that support people who are having a hard time. He especially liked local organizations like Exodus House and Neighborhood Services Organization. He was also a big fan of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, where a beloved niece worked for 50 years. His life will be celebrated in a private service in his hometown in the coming months. He will be missed and loved forever.