Charles Leo Bowerman was born on December 16, 1939, in Alamo, Indiana to Thomas Edward Bowerman and Hazel Augusta Melvin Bowerman. He died peacefully in his sleep on September 2, 2023, and the age of 83.
Charlie played basketball from the time he could walk, and in true Hoosier fashion developed a lifelong passion for the game. This passion led to a career that spanned nearly 4 decades with Phillips Petroleum Co.
Bowerman attended Alamo HS, where he averaged over 27 points per game- playing for one of the toughest coaches he ever had – his dad! As a high school baller, Charlie was selected All-County, All-Sectional, and Outstanding Senior Athlete in Montgomery County in 1957. Bowerman then earned a scholarship to Wabash College in Crawfordsville, IN. He had a great basketball career there including an historic five overtime game with Butler his junior year where he scored 53 points helping Wabash get the win 110-108. Then his senior year, he scored 63 points in a game record that still stands today. Between his junior and senior year Charlie married Coralea Weir, the love of his life whom he had known since grade school. Charlie graduated Wabash in 1961 with a liberal arts degree in history and psychology.
His success on the court gained the attention of a Phillips recruiter who asked him to come to Bartlesville for an interview. The recruiter also happened to be a Phillips 66ers assistant coach, and the interview quickly turned into a basketball tryout and soon after, a job offer. Bowerman often said the best advice his father ever gave him was to take the job at Phillips and work while also getting the opportunity to play ball. He had already turned down a chance to play in the NBA with the New York Knicks, being selected in the 5th round of the 1961 draft. Bowerman’s three-year stint with the 66ers included a good will tour to the Middle East and playing in the world games in Rio de Janeiro. He was selected an AAU All-American in 1964 and was a member of the AAU All Star Team in the Olympic Trials. After three years of basketball and traveling, Charlie decided to settle down with his family and focus on his career.
Starting out in the sales training program in South Bend and then La Porte, IN he worked as a district sales rep and rose rapidly in the ranks. Bowerman held various managerial positions in the marketing operations in the 1970s and 80s which brought him to Oklahoma and in 1984 he became the VP of marketing for Phillips. Some of his fondest memories were working on “The Rebirth of the Brand” a national marketing campaign to improve and revamp their retail store image. In 1988 he became Sr VP of Petroleum Products with worldwide responsibilities for refining, marketing, and transportation. Bowerman was elected to the Phillips board of directors in 1989, and held various other executive positions including 1995 when he became the executive VP of planning, corporate relations and services. Charlie retired in 1999 after 38 years of service with Phillips Petroleum Co. and was the last remaining Phillips employee from the 66ers glory days.
While working, Charlie was a member of the American Petroleum Institute’s board of directors, the Boy Scouts of America’s national executive board, was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995, he served on the board of trustees for the Boys & Girls Club of Bartlesville, and was also a trustee for Hanover College and Jane Phillips Medical Center. He continued his service to the community after retirement serving on various committees with First United Methodist Church in Bartlesville, the Bartlesville Community Foundation, the Bartlesville Sports Commission, and helping bring the American Legion World Series to Bartlesville. And while all of these are admirable things, he did them humbly while coaching his girls in sports, teaching their Sunday school classes, helping with term papers, and later even running a basketball camp in the driveway for his grandkids.
Charlie’s successes in life both on the court and throughout his work career were rooted in a strong foundation of faith. He never shied away from talking about hardships and trusting in the Lord. He had a disciplined prayer life, set goals, and expected excellence along with ethics. This living out of his faith was the greatest legacy he left his family. With fond memories of holiday gatherings, family vacations, treasure hunts, and fancy dinners, we hold these close to our heart as we take comfort in knowing he is reunited with Coralea, worshiping his Lord Jesus Christ and walking on those streets of gold.
Family members include:
Daughters: Cindy Dean and her husband Paul, Cristie Lister and her husband Darren, Candie Morris and her husband Jeff
Grandchildren: Jennifer Dean, Robbie Dean and his wife Jenna, Zachary Lister and his wife Shelby, Jacob Lister, Nathan Lister and his wife Madison, Erin Morris, Carlie Morris, and Jordan Morris Great Grandchildren: Brynlee, Skylar, Luke, Ezekiel, and Landry
Sister: Judy Bratton and her husband Joe
Charlie was preceded in death by his parents Tom and Hazel, his sister Pat Bryant and his wife Coralea Weir Bowerman
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10am at First Church in Owasso 10100 N Garnett Rd.
