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Portrait of Ronald Eugene Bowne
In loving memory

Ronald Eugene Bowne

February 8, 1954 – September 26, 2016
Lived 62 years
Sturgeon, Mo
Life story

Owner & Operator, Bowne Towing and Machinery Sales.

Ronald Eugene Bowne was a dedicated entrepreneur, talented mechanic, and lifelong resident of mid-Missouri whose career and passions were defined by a deep love for speed, power, and machinery. For most of his life, Ronald could be found in a shop, spending countless hours tinkering with cars and tractors, transforming his mechanical intuition into thriving local businesses.

Professional Career & Business Ventures

Ronald's journey as a business owner began in Centralia, Missouri, where he opened CARS (Centralia Auto Repair Services), establishing his reputation as a trusted local mechanic and service provider. Building upon his expertise and a growing demand for heavy equipment services, he later expanded his operations to found and operate Bowne Towing and Machinery Sales in Sturgeon, Missouri. Under his leadership, the company became a staple in the community, reflecting his tireless work ethic and commitment to helping others.

Personal Passions: Beyond his professional achievements,

Ronald was a true gearhead at heart. He possessed an innate fascination with high-performance vehicles, finding great joy in building custom motors and working with his hands. His mechanical talents extended into agricultural history; he was an avid collector and restorer of antique tractors, preserving pieces of American farming heritage through his meticulous craftsmanship with his brother Darrell Bowne. He loves pulling antique tractors and moved on to building and pulling light super pro stock tractors: 33 Massey "Movin Violation" and Oliver 77 "Classic Hooker".

Children:

Ronald had 3 boys: Christopher Bowne, Anthony Bowne, and Corey Bowne

4 Stepchildren: Chadrick Hickam, Amanda Hickam-Boles, Zach Hickam, and Elijah Hickam

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Photos
Photo book

Ronald’s life, in a printed book

We design every page from Ronald’s 20 photos. Make it yours, then order a copy for everyone who loved Ronald.

Lifetime

The world Ronald knew

Family milestones in gold, history for context

1954
Born February 8
1958
Ronald was 4 when the Hula Hoop craze swept the country
1969
Ronald was 15 when the Woodstock music festival opened
1971
Ronald was 17 when Walt Disney World opened in Florida
1981
Ronald was 27 when MTV began broadcasting
1995
Ronald was 41 when "Toy Story" became the first fully computer-animated film
2005
Ronald was 51 when the first video was posted to YouTube
2014
Ronald was 60 when the Ice Bucket Challenge went viral
2016
Passed away September 26, age 62
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