Mr. Fred Horsley Gowen, 79, of Hagerstown, died Friday, January 29, 2016 in Hagerstown. He was the husband of the late Betty Lee Rohrer Gowen, who preceded him in death on April 26, 1996.
Born April 8, 1936, in Arrington, Nelson County, Virginia, he was a son of the late Frank Leslie, I, and Lona H. Bryant Gowan. Fred was a 1953 graduate of Nelson County High School, and a United States Army Veteran who served in Germany.
Mr. Gowan owned and operated Gowan Motor Service, Inc., Hagerstown.
He formerly attended Bethel United Methodist Church, Chewsville; and was a member of WD Byron VFW, Post 1936, of Hagerstown, and the American Legion Dixon-Troxel Post 211, Funkstown. He was a very active member of the National Star Route Mail Contractors Association.
Fred is survived Susan Dennison of Hagerstown, by his significant other of 19 years; and his brother Frank L. Gowen, II, of Lynchburg, Virginia. Additionally, Fred is survived by several nieces and nephews, including Frank L. Gowen, III, and companion Ann Mason, and Daniel Gowen and wife Audilee, also of Lynchburg, and Bonnie Reese and husband Mike of Arrington, Virginia; as well as his loving & faithful companion, his Yorkie, Jasmine.
Besides his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by siblings Evelyn Hanks, Lila Smith, Bernice White, Lucille Cofflin, and Johnny Gowen.
Hospice of Washington County deserves special recognition for the care and compassion shown during Mr. Gowen’s illness.
Visiting will be at the Andrew K. Coffman Funeral Home, 40 East Antietam Street, Hagerstown, on Tuesday evening, February 2, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The funeral service will be at the funeral home on Wednesday, February 3, 11:00 AM, with the Rev. John W. Schildt, officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Cemetery, Hagerstown.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Washington County, 747 Northern Avenue, Hagerstown, Maryland 21742; or to The Humane Society of Washington County, 13011 Maugansville Road, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740.
