Merrill Webster Bowles, 86, went to be with the Lord on July 13, 2022, in Edmond, Oklahoma. He was born in Denmark, Mississippi on December 1, 1935 to James "Everette" Bowles and wife, Maude Leona (Leath). The oldest of 3 children, he grew up in rural Mississippi, where his parents were sharecroppers. The FBI came recruiting to Darling High School his senior year, and he applied and was accepted. Everette borrowed some money, bought Merrill a suit, work clothes, and a bus ticket to Washington DC, and his adventure began. He had to get a work permit, as he was only 17, and he started as a clerk, and gave tours of the FBI facility. Living in the basement of a boarding house, he developed lifelong friends from across the country, and also served in the Army Reserve. He met a girl from Pennsylvania who was working as a stenographer with the FBI and, in 1959, Carol Jeanne Brown became his wife. On March 10, 1960, Deborah Jeanne was born, and soon after they purchased their first home in Laurel, Maryland. On July 25, 1964, Steven James was born. Merrill went to school at night, received a bachelors degree in accounting, and applied to become an agent. After training at MCB Quantico, he was assigned his first office in Buffalo, NY. The family lived there less than a year before being transferred to Oklahoma City. On December 16, 1969, Michael Jeffrey was born, and on January 2, 1973, Laura Joelle completed the family. Around this time, Merrill purchased 5 acres in the Deer Creek area of Edmond, and built a home in the country, where the family moved in 1975. He was a finger-print specialist and taught at many police schools, a part of his job that he really enjoyed. He owned a motorcycle for years, was in a bowling league, and played softball, but his passion was gardening, and he was known for his plentiful asparagus and tomatoes. In 1986, he retired at 51 years old, after 34 years with the FBI. Two years later, Carol was diagnosed with cancer, and on May 5, 1990, he lost the love of his life way too soon. To keep himself occupied, he did background investigations for Tinker AFB and became a Fiero enthusiast, participating in car shows with his favorite red Pontiac Mera. He also met his friends at Dunkin Donuts for coffee almost every day. In later years, he enjoyed the role of "Papa" and became best buddies to the youngest grandchild, who loved riding with him around his 5 acres in the golf cart. Merrill was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease in 2017, and in 2022 moved in with his oldest daughter and son-in-law for 4 months prior to moving into Assisted Living at Veraden, which is where he passed, with his family surrounding him. He is survived by brother, Jerrall Bowles and sister, Iris Patterson, both of Houlka, Mississippi; children, Deborah Saunders and husband Terry of OKC, Steve Bowles and wife Kyla of Katy, TX, Mike Bowles and wife Candice of Guthrie, OK, Laura Mallory and husband Ryan of Piedmont, OK; grandchildren, Raegan, Alyx and Ethan Bowles of Katy, TX, Faith Peterson and husband Jake of Edmond, OK, Michael, Jacob and Gracie Bowles of Guthrie, OK, and Aria Mallory of Piedmont, OK; step-grandson, Jeff Saunders; great-grandchildren, Jayven and Cassidy Saunders of Mustang, OK; and 6 nieces and nephews. Viewing will be Sunday, 11am-8pm, with family present from 2-4pm at Mercer-Adams. Celebration of Life will be Monday, July 18, 10:00am at Mercer-Adams Funeral Service Chapel, 3925 N. Asbury, Bethany, OK 73008. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to michaeljfox.org, or apdaparkinson.org . Visitation with Family Present Mercer-Adams Funeral Service Sunday, July 17, 2022 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM 3925 North Asbury Avenue Bethany, Oklahoma 73008 Viewing Sunday, 11am-8pm at Mercer-Adams. Funeral Service Mercer-Adams Chapel Monday, July 18, 2022 10:00 AM 3925 N. Asbury Bethany, OK 73008 The service will be live streamed on this obituary page.