David Lance Bowles, M.D., of Streetman, Texas, passed away on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at the age of 71, after a prolonged illness.
Bowles was a pioneering orthopedic surgeon when, in June 1982, he broke new ground as the only orthopedic surgeon in east Texas, Henderson County, population of just 10,000 people. At that time, in that place, newly minted Dr. Bowles set up his solo practice in Athens, Texas.
Bowles was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 29, 1951, to Norma and William R. Bowles. He grew up in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, where he graduated from Sooner High School in 1969. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University. He completed his medical degree in 1977 from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School.
After completing a general surgery internship at Methodist Hospital of Dallas, he then did a four-year orthopedic surgery residency at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas.
Today, he is remembered for many, many things but most importantly, for his devotion to his patients and his family.
He and his wife Cecilia had three daughters, Courtney born in April 1983, Madeline in July 1986 and Rebecca in October 1996. They were his pride and joy. All three attended Bishop T.K. Gorman Catholic High School in Tyler. He and his wife were always actively involved in their education and activities.
The Bowles bought property on Richland Chambers Reservoir in 1996. They first built a metal barn and then remodeled into their dream home just in time for the arrival of their 9 grandchildren. Dr. Bowles retired from his practice in November 2013 to spend more time with his wife.
Bowles was preceded in death by his parents, and survived by his wife Cecilia, his daughters, their husbands and children: Liam and Wyatt Powell, and Caleb, Jonah, Priscilla, Olivia, Mary, Lucy, and Genevieve Blalock. He is also survived by two brothers, Michael Bowles of California and Scott M. Bowles who lives with his wife Suzy in Fort Worth, Texas.
