Person Info
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Title: Obituary Page: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/oklahoman/obituary.aspx?n=donald-bown&pid=168103373&eid=sp_ommatch DONALD BOWN Obituary November 13, 1931 - November 17, 2013 EDMOND Donald Dale Bown was born on November 13, 1931, and passed away on November 17, 2013. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oral Annette Bown and Dale Wendell Bown. Don is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jane Muschany Bown, daughter, Melissa Gorman and her husband Mark Gorman, son, Matthew Bown and his wife Jill Bown, and granddaughters, Abigail Bown and Meredith Bown.Don was born in Carlinville, Illinois, moved several times as a young man, ultimately graduating from Little Rock High School, in Little Rock, Arkansas. He then attended Drury College in Springfield, Missouri where he met his future bride, Jane Muschany. After graduating from college, Don served in the US Army during the Korean War. At the conclusion of his service he and Jane were married in 1957, and resided in Springfield, Missouri. Don soon found his calling in municipal government as he began his career with the City of Springfield where he became the Assistant City Manager. In 1971, Don then moved to Seminole, Oklahoma to become the first City Manager in Seminole's history. The next stop was Bartlesville, Oklahoma in 1973 as its City Manager. In 1976, Don then took a position with Governor David Boren as the Executive Director of the Crime Commission for the State of Oklahoma and his family moved to the Oklahoma City metro area.Don returned to municipal government with the City of Oklahoma City in 1977, serving as the Finance Director and the Director of General Services for a period. Don was selected as the City Manager in 1991 and served until his retirement in 1998. During Don's term as City Manager, Oklahoma City began its current renaissance with the passage of MAPS. Don oversaw the development and implementation of the initial projects which included the Bricktown Ballpark, Bricktown Canal, dams and riverfront development on the Oklahoma River, the Chesapeake Arena, Norick Library, Fairground improvements and the renovation of the Municipal Civic Center. Also Oklahoma City's great tragedy, the April 19, 1995 Murrah Building bombing occurred during Don's tenure as City Manager. Don led the City government through the disaster and recovery, working closely with State and Federal officials to coordinate the investigation and response efforts. This model of leadership and cooperation came to be known as the "Oklahoma Standard".Don was recognized many times for his service, most notably as recipient of the Pioneer Award by Oklahoma City Downtown Now, the Gerald Wilkins Award for the Oklahoma Outstanding City Manager, and in 2004 was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame for City and Town Officials. His 28 year career in Oklahoma municipal and state government represents true service to make our City and State a better placeDon was also involved in many civic and community activities. He was a strong supporter of the arts and many philanthropic causes including the United Way. He served for many years on the Oklahoma City Airport Trust and as the Chairman of the MECU Credit Union. He was particularly passionate about the Ambassadors' Concert Choir, serving as the Chairman of its Board for many years.Don also enjoyed traveling and sports. He and Jane traveled the world with their family and with good friends. These adventures included many trips to Florida beaches, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, and took him to Europe, Australia, South America and China. He was always a great fan of collegiate sports supporting the OU Sooners and was a dedicated NBA fan with the arrival of the Thunder.Memorial services will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2013, at 4:00pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Edmond where Don was a longtime member. His remains will be buried at the Old Stone Church in Chesterfield, Missouri. The family suggests memorials in his honor can be made to either the Oklahoma City Community Foundation - Ambassadors' Concert Choir Endowment Fund, 1000 N. Broadway, Oklahoma City, OK 73102, or to Bonhomme Presbyterian Church, for the Old Stone Church, 14820 Conway Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017. Published in The Oklahoman on Nov. 20, 2013 |
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Title: Obituary Page: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/oklahoman/obituary.aspx?n=donald-bown&pid=168103373&eid=sp_ommatch DONALD BOWN Obituary November 13, 1931 - November 17, 2013 EDMOND Donald Dale Bown was born on November 13, 1931, and passed away on November 17, 2013. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oral Annette Bown and Dale Wendell Bown. Don is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jane Muschany Bown, daughter, Melissa Gorman and her husband Mark Gorman, son, Matthew Bown and his wife Jill Bown, and granddaughters, Abigail Bown and Meredith Bown.Don was born in Carlinville, Illinois, moved several times as a young man, ultimately graduating from Little Rock High School, in Little Rock, Arkansas. He then attended Drury College in Springfield, Missouri where he met his future bride, Jane Muschany. After graduating from college, Don served in the US Army during the Korean War. At the conclusion of his service he and Jane were married in 1957, and resided in Springfield, Missouri. Don soon found his calling in municipal government as he began his career with the City of Springfield where he became the Assistant City Manager. In 1971, Don then moved to Seminole, Oklahoma to become the first City Manager in Seminole's history. The next stop was Bartlesville, Oklahoma in 1973 as its City Manager. In 1976, Don then took a position with Governor David Boren as the Executive Director of the Crime Commission for the State of Oklahoma and his family moved to the Oklahoma City metro area.Don returned to municipal government with the City of Oklahoma City in 1977, serving as the Finance Director and the Director of General Services for a period. Don was selected as the City Manager in 1991 and served until his retirement in 1998. During Don's term as City Manager, Oklahoma City began its current renaissance with the passage of MAPS. Don oversaw the development and implementation of the initial projects which included the Bricktown Ballpark, Bricktown Canal, dams and riverfront development on the Oklahoma River, the Chesapeake Arena, Norick Library, Fairground improvements and the renovation of the Municipal Civic Center. Also Oklahoma City's great tragedy, the April 19, 1995 Murrah Building bombing occurred during Don's tenure as City Manager. Don led the City government through the disaster and recovery, working closely with State and Federal officials to coordinate the investigation and response efforts. This model of leadership and cooperation came to be known as the "Oklahoma Standard".Don was recognized many times for his service, most notably as recipient of the Pioneer Award by Oklahoma City Downtown Now, the Gerald Wilkins Award for the Oklahoma Outstanding City Manager, and in 2004 was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame for City and Town Officials. His 28 year career in Oklahoma municipal and state government represents true service to make our City and State a better placeDon was also involved in many civic and community activities. He was a strong supporter of the arts and many philanthropic causes including the United Way. He served for many years on the Oklahoma City Airport Trust and as the Chairman of the MECU Credit Union. He was particularly passionate about the Ambassadors' Concert Choir, serving as the Chairman of its Board for many years.Don also enjoyed traveling and sports. He and Jane traveled the world with their family and with good friends. These adventures included many trips to Florida beaches, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, and took him to Europe, Australia, South America and China. He was always a great fan of collegiate sports supporting the OU Sooners and was a dedicated NBA fan with the arrival of the Thunder.Memorial services will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2013, at 4:00pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Edmond where Don was a longtime member. His remains will be buried at the Old Stone Church in Chesterfield, Missouri. The family suggests memorials in his honor can be made to either the Oklahoma City Community Foundation - Ambassadors' Concert Choir Endowment Fund, 1000 N. Broadway, Oklahoma City, OK 73102, or to Bonhomme Presbyterian Church, for the Old Stone Church, 14820 Conway Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017. Published in The Oklahoman on Nov. 20, 2013 |
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