Christopher (Chris) Lee Vowels, “Officer Vowels”, “Pillar of his community”, resident of Richland, WA for 64 years, was inducted into heaven with a triumphant passing on September 13, 2017. Our beloved DARE Officer was escorted home by law enforcement and family to The Hospice House where he passed with numerous family and friends.  In every part of this journey, even up to his last breath, the presence of God was very evident.  He was full of life; healthy & energetic, until he lost a 2-year battle with a rare case of Aplastic Anemia (AA). Chris was born in Richland, WA on June 1, 1953, to Klomer (Lee) and Teresa (Volmer) Vowels.  Richland is where he met his cherished wife of 44 ½ years, Dorothy “Lady One” “Bunky” Anne (Bush) Vowels at Columbia “Cole” High (Richland High School) in an office machines class pulling her pigtails until she gave in to his adoration.  After graduating in 1971, he began attending Columbia Basin College and continued his business in carpeting.  Chris and Dorothy were married on April 14, 1973 and a few months later, Chris enlisted in the army.  He served as a nurse at Madigan Hospital caring for the returning Vietnam wounded soldiers and was Honorably Discharged after three years of service as a Sergeant (E5) in the United States Army.

A loving & caring couple, Chris and Dorothy built their life and family in Richland, WA, where their three daughters Kendra Lynne (Budso), Leslie Anne (Harrold) & Jessica Aleene (Toad) were born.  Their marriage honored the Lord and others.  They loved to invest in people.  Chris and Dorothy instilled the love of God in their children's hearts as well as teaching them the importance of family and friends.

Chris wore many hats in an extensive honorable career.  We cannot begin to relay these hats.  Some honorable mentions are:  Richland Police Department for 25 years where he lived out his early 1980’s CHiPs fantasy; was able to use his mad negotiating skills to save and protect with the SWAT team; served as our local DARE officer; and worked with community relations (i.e. Safe Kids Saturday, body guard for Arnold Schwarzenegger during his After-School All-Stars Program, and escorted Al Gore when he visited Washington State much to his delight 😊).  He also lived and loved life through serving and mentoring as a youth group leader with Dorothy and as a manager for Reach Beyond Challenge Course (RBCC).  Following “retirement” he continued to find ways to honor God and serve others through Synergo (as an inspector, builder and trainer), Driver Awareness Instructor for Hanford employees, EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operations Course) Driving Instructor for the Police, and proud owner of Columbia Kayak Adventures.

Preceding Chris in death were his parents.  He is survived by wife, Dorothy Anne (Bush) Vowels, daughters, Kendra (Jeremy) Kinlock, Leslie (Jeremy) Brock, Jessica Vowels, granddaughters Mackenzie (Kenz), Elia (Elles) & Braelynn (Brae) Kinlock, grandsons Asher Lee Brock (Boogaloo).  He is also survived by his sister Laura (Steve) Droke, brother Nick (Ashley) Vowels, brothers-in-law Gary (Carol) Bush, Lee Bush, nieces, Kristin (Eric) Sargent, Rachel (Matthew) Heezen-Ellingford, Erin (Lucas) Casch, Lisa (Aaron) Toner, nephews Jacob (Becky) Heezen, Peter Heezen and Dominique Corbin.

Please join us in the celebration of Chris’ life on Saturday, September 30, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Tri-Cities, 1800 N. Rd. 72, Pasco, WA.  Immediately following the ceremony, there will be a police-escorted procession to the graveside service that will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 915 Bypass Hwy, Richland, WA.  We will return to Faith Tri-Cities at 2:30 p.m. to celebrate - “Chris Vowels” potluck style.  Please bring according to your last name: Sides Dishes (A-I), Main Dishes (J-R), Desserts (S-Z).

In lieu of flowers, Chris and the family would encourage you to donate to either the Pete Gross House, AAMDS.org and/or BeTheMatch.  Chris’ Mission Statement: “The world is my mission place”.  We know that his heart’s desire is that we all find our way to serve our Mighty God and Live like Christ.