Born in Cairo, Ill., Father Vowels grew up in Charleston, Missouri. He attended Saint Louis University and Kenrick Seminary. He was ordained at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis in 1977 by Cardinal John J. Carberry.

Following ordination, Father Vowels was named associate pastor of Mary Queen of Peace Parish in Webster Groves. In 1981, he was named associate director of the Archdiocesan Society for the Propagation of the Faith (Mission Office) and part-time associate pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in St. Louis. In 1989, he was named associate pastor of Incarnate Word Parish in Chesterfield. Also that year he concluded his service with the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.

In 1993, Father Vowels was named administrator of St. Martin de Porres Parish in Hazelwood and a year later he was named pastor of the parish. He was appointed pastor of Incarnate Word in Chesterfield in 2002.

In June of 2017, he was given a leave of absence for reasons of health. He had been diagnosed with cancer in the meninges, according to parish reports. He later resided at Holy Redeemer Parish in Webster Groves and then at Mother of Good Counsel Home.

An avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, Father Vowels was a member of the Friends of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, where he played the organ while he was a student, and the Classical Languages Honor Society. He was known at Incarnate Word Parish for his love and knowledge of Scripture and for his succinct, powerful homilies. A message to parishioners upon his death from the parish stated that Father Vowels had a quick wit and appreciated the Life Teen youth ministry program, teaching all to have a lasting relationship with Jesus.

Survivors include two brothers, Gary Vowels and Rick Vowels.