Paul Vernon Dowty, 76, of Auxvasse, entered Heaven's gates on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at 4:10 A.M. at The Bluffs in Columbia after suffering from a brain tumor.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, November 20, at First Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Gary Garrett officiating.

Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until time of services at the church.

A private burial will be at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville.

Paul was born on November 28, 1944, in Portsmouth, VA, the son of Alexander and Ethel (Lawrence) Dowty. He married Patrecia Frantz on August 6, 1966, at Friends Church in Oklahoma City, OK. They were married 55 years.

Paul graduated high school and enlisted in the Air Force. After basic training he was stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City. Paul found a church home in Oklahoma City where he met Pat. When Paul completed his military service, he attended Indiana Wesleyan University and graduated with a BS in Religion with a minor in Christian Education and post graduate studies in English. Paul pastored for 12 years. Other ministries involved revivals, children's ministries as well as administrator and teacher of two Christian schools.

He is survived by his wife, Pat of the home; four children, Vonne (Carl) Kilbourn of Auxvasse, Jason Dowty of Battiest, OK, James Dowty of Fulton and John (Tina) Dowty of Gravois Mills; 14 grandchildren, Mark (Anna) Penn, Shannon (Eric) Roath, Marena (Tanner) Crawford, DaKoda (Hannah) Dowty, Hunter (Brittany) Dowty, Courtney Dowty, Amber Dowty, Andrew Dowty, Haston Dowty, Stephen (Heather) Kilbourn, Stephanie Kilbourn and Andi, Trey and Nick Rodriguez; 12 great-grandchildren, Kaison, Tucker and Rogan Roath, Bentlee, Gatlyn and Tateon Dowty, Charlotte, Jackson and Benjamin Crawford, Noah Kilbourn, Knox Penn and Roger Rodriguez; One brother, Claude (Becky) Dowty of Zuni, VA; and nephew, Paul H. Dowty.

Paul is preceded in death by his parents, Alexander and Ethel Dowty; and one brother, Charles Dowty.

Memorials may be made to Gideons International or New Horizons Church of the Nazarene. They may be sent in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson, Mexico, MO 65265.