Charles McGowan

Charles William McGowan passed away on March 30th 2020 at his home in Overland Park, Kansas.

Charles was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to LeRoy and Lurline McGowan on January 12th 1925.  He grew up in Oklahoma City and was drafted into the Navy in 1943.  He served in World War II, and achieved the rank of Electronics Technicians Mate Second Class.  Charles served primarily on the USS Mount Olympus, a decorated ship in the 3rd Amphibious Force.

After the war, Charles finished high school and attended Oklahoma University, leaving to become an engineer at a local radio station.  He then began his carrier at AT&T, where he worked as an engineer for 33 years.

Charles married, started a family and was transferred to Kansas City which he made his home.  He had many hobbies during this time, including sailing, photography, woodworking, ham radio, electronics and finishing his degree in physics.

Charles remarried later in life and retired soon after to travel the world.  He and his wife Bonnie took over 60 trips together, many of them cruises, which renewed his love of the sea.  When traveling they spent time playing bridge and working on what became his favorite pastime, ballroom dancing.  Dancing with his friends at Camelot was his passion, and he developed many lifelong friends there.

Charles is survived by his partner Donna Angell, children, Michael McGowan (Sarah), Jan Kokoruda (Charles) and Robert McGowan (Kathi), his grandchildren, Chris Kokoruda, Bryan Kokoruda, Kelly Kokoruda Prickett, Eric McGowan, Katherine McGowan, Josh McGowan, Shawn McGowan, and his great grandchildren, Bridget, Natalie, Jack, Jocelyn and Kendra.