U.S. Veteran. Burial Date: May 13, 2021. Aurburn Ray Bowen, 83, of St. Louis, died May 7, 2021. Ray never met a stranger and carries a lasting impression as a genuine, patient, funny, wise and kind-hearted soul that always put other first while living life to the fullest. Ray is the oldest of 12 and in Rays early life, he spent several years working with his father while excelling in cross country and other sports, guitar, camping, hiking and coaching baseball. He dearly loved his mother and baby sisters and truly enjoyed hunting and siting with his father and brothers, that Brough about many indelible stories over the years. In Rays later life, he became an avid golfer and truly enjoyed playing his guitar and singing. He genuinely valued spending time with all of his family, especially his seven beautiful grandchildren. Ray always found peace in Gods nature and creations, mostly during his secret place with the Lord being in the early morning hours while praying, sipping coffee and birdwatching. He will always be known to his wife as the love of her life, to his son as his rock, to his daughter as her hero and to his grandchildren as their lead role model. Ray will continue to live in the hearts of those he leaves behind and his legacy will live on through his children and grandchildren. Ray served in Germany in the U.S. Army from 1962-1964, with the Hawk A Battery 4th Missile Battalion. He was born on Jan. 27, 1938 in Holcomb, Missouri, to the late Aurburn Lee and Violet Elaine Bowen, nee Ray. He married Linda S. Bowen, nee Lumley, Feb. 14, 1970 at Dover Place Christian Church in St. Louis. He was retired from American Freight and Pevely Dairy where he worked for 30 years. He was raised in the Baptist Church, with his latest church involvement being with South County Bible Church. Beloved husband of Linda S. Bowen (nee Lumley); loving father of Bryan (Bethany) Bowen and Cynthia (Darin) Baker; loving grandfather of Devyn, Darin Ray and Drew Petri, Benjamin and Brynnley Bowen and Dylan and Paige Baker; dear brother of Don Bowen, the late Gary Bowen, the late Gene (the late Judy) Bowen, Alvin (the late Emily) Bowen, Sandra (the late John) Johanningmeier, Steven (the late Patsy) Bowen, Russell (Mary) Bowen, Vicki (Jim) Kayser, Patsy (Mike) Colvin, Teresa Sparn and Bob Nickell; dear brother-in-law to the late Preston Honea, the late Richard Lumley and Deborah (Jim) Durbin; dear uncle, great uncle, cousin and friend to many. Ray is preceded in death by his parents, Auburn Lee and Violet Elaine Bowen (nee Ray) and his in0law, Charles D. Lumley and Mildred Inez Lumley (nee Grimmett). A visitation will be held Wednesday, May 12 from 4 to 9 p.m. at John L. Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Homes, 4830 Lemay Ferry Road. A funeral service will be held Thursday, May 13 at 11:30 a.m. at John L. Ziegenhein & Sons. Private interment will follow at 1 p.m. at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. A celebration of life for all Rays family and friends will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 13 at South County Bible Church, 4111 Von Talge Road.