| Obituary | 2 July 2004 | His obituary: on 2 July 2004 (From McGowan site on MyFamily.com)
Kenneth Marion McGowan (80) passed away on June 29, 2004 at Town and Country Manor in Orange County. Ken was born in Aurora, Mo. and his family moved to California when he was quite young. He graduated from Garfield High School in 1941 and went on to serve his country as a U. S. Naval gunnery mate on the CVE 59 Mission Bay during WWII. During that time he met Martha Jane Browne in New York and returned with her to California to raise their soon to be four children, Essie Hudson of Massachusetts; Kenneth (Skip) McGowan of California; Linda Miles of Ohio and Richard McGowan of Colorado. His children were at his side during his last days. They will miss him beyond words. Ken worked at Norton Air Force Base for over 30 years before he retired. After he retired he headed the Norton AFB Retirees group for many years. He also volunteered as a “Master Gardener” for the Agriculture Extention. Ken was known around Larkspur Drive for his amazing tomatoes. Ken was proud of the time he spent being “Santa” to many children at the mall. During his life his family and friends he also loved as family were foremost in his heart, mind and soul. He was always there for his family. He coached baseball and football, was a Pacific High booster, was active in his church and was always around to help ease his family’s pain and share their joy. Ken was blessed with 9 grandchildren (Martha, Sherrie, Michelle, Kenny, Kelly, Rebecca, Jennifer, Katie and Alexis) and soon found great-grandchildren to love and be loved by (Annie, Christian, William, Landon, Bailey, Danielle, Joshua, Kathleen, Caitlyn and Ian. Ken was also known as a second father to Danny and Cindy Esparza and Skip and Bobbi Borg. He was a brother to Phyllis Rabe and an Uncle to Pam Rabe, Sandy McKovitch, Todd McKovitch, Tiffany McKovitch and her children Marya and Andrew. What made Ken a bigger and better man than most was his ability to always bring a smile and sense of fairness to everyone he met. He will be remembered in the hearts of those he touched, loved, and was loved by. |