When Brian Bowles speaks about his brother, he is full of admiration, humor and lingering grief. Greg Bowles, a University of Tulsa graduate and pioneering energy executive, died only two and a half months after being diagnosed with cancer. But in that short time, he made a decision that still shapes lives today. Under Brian Bowles’ leadership and his brother’s vision, they created the Gregory B. Bowles Foundation, serving Tulsa to enrich every community.
“Greg always admired what the George Kaiser Family Foundation does,” Brian Bowles said. “He would tell me that we needed something like that — making a meaningful impact for people who fall through the cracks.”
Greg Bowles was known for his brilliance. He graduated from East Central High School, earning the prestigious Mervin Bovaird Scholarship to attend UTulsa. While there, he found the close-knit environment he wanted. He also found balance, navigating academics with fun.
“He told me, ‘I spent my whole childhood chasing A’s. I’m fine with C’s now,’” Brian Bowles said. “He wanted to enjoy life.”
Greg Bowles did just that. He joined Kappa Sigma, created lasting friendships and memories and embraced several hobbies. After earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, he went on to work at Warren Petroleum, Chevron and Louis Dreyfus, where he excelled in business development. He identified undervalued assets in the oil and gas sector and was later recognized as a pioneer in extracting and separating valuable natural gas byproducts – materials once considered waste.
“He wanted people to think differently about assets and opportunities. He wanted everyone around him to grow,” Brian Bowles recalled.
After his cancer diagnosis, Greg Bowles moved quickly to plan an estate. One of his biggest priorities was setting aside funds to establish the foundation. During his final month, he and his brother discussed the foundation’s mission daily: “His instructions were simple. He told me to support The University of Tulsa and the American Cancer Society. After that, go find the causes that need us most.”
Under Brian Bowles’ leadership as executive director, the foundation has remained focused on underserved populations in Tulsa. One of the foundation’s first gifts was a scholarship endowment at UTulsa. Outside the university, the foundation supports several Tulsa-area and national organizations, including the Firefighters Benevolent Fund, Folds of Honor, East Central High School and more. Brian Bowles emphasized that the foundation’s goal is not simply to distribute gifts but to change the trajectories of people who need that “little extra support.”
“Not everyone has a generational safety net,” he said. “We want to be that for people. Great things happen when someone gets help at the right time.”
The Gregory B. Bowles Foundation is always seeking opportunities to connect more with the Tulsa community. Learn more about their mission on the foundation’s website.