Carl McGowan

Carl Edward McGowan, of Phoenix, AZ and Clarksville, TN, went to be with the Lord on March 22, 2020. A Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 31, 2021 at the chapel of McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10 a.m. at the funeral home.
He was born on August 6, 1934 at home attended by a midwife in Oak Grove, KY, the youngest of three children born to Nathan Roy McGowan and Goldie Lee Lowe McGowan. He moved with family to Clarksville at age 4 where he lived until he graduated from Clarksville High School in 1953 and after working for the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle, he joined the navy. Carl lived a full life, serving in the Navy and Air Force in his earlier years and got to visit such exciting places as Hawaii and Japan. He met and married Jane Doherty during his naval service and after his Air Force tenure, they moved to Phoenix, AZ. They were blessed with three children. He worked for International Telephone and Telegraph, INC from which he retired in 1993. After retirement, he enjoyed driving passengers on tour buses and helping them to enjoy the scenery and their trip.
He developed a love for flying while in the Air Force and later bought his own plane which he enjoyed flying to various places, often back to TN to visit family. As a member of the Fire and Rescue Team of Civil Air Patrol for 21 years, he fought fires by plane. He had a passion for bowling and rose in the ranks of the Pro-Am division.
Carl is survived by his three children: Thane Edward, Nathan Carl, and Jeanine Francis of Phoenix; his two granddaughters, Starlene Cassandra McGowan and Danielle Nadine McGowan. He is also survived by a sister, Frances McGowan Wise and husband, Hugh, of Charlotte, NC. as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was especially close to his niece, Starlene McGowan Martin an husband, Kerry, of Clarksville where he spent many happy times. He was preceded in death by his brother, Austin, his wife, Willie Mai, as well as a great-granddaughter, Amanda Danielle McGowan.
Carl became a member of God’s kingdom when he was 14 and loved serving the Lord for all his days. His delight was in God’s Word, and he took great comfort in that during his last few years.
“I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live, ever if he dies.”
~John 11:25