Jerry Allan Gowman

A person is far more than the facts that make up a life. This is especially true of Jerry Gowman whose 93 years lived have been a blessing to many people, especially his family, friends and others he has helped in many ways.Jerry Allan Gowman, son of Gerald Leslie Gowman and Doris Givenwood Gowman, was born in Granite City, Illinois, April 29, 1929.He graduated from Community High School, Granite City, Ill. in 1947, receiving an Honorable Mention in the Westinghouse Talent Search. From there he attended and graduated with honors from Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri with a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry in 1952. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Social Fraternity and Alpha Chi Sigma Professional Fraternity.Immediately after completing his course work for his degree he was drafted, without passing go, into the Army Chemical Corps and was stationed at 9710 TSU Army Center in Maryland. He was very pleased with this since it meant he and his buddy were able to go into New York City to go to the Symphony and Opera.However he earned his keep while there by testing and improving Collective Protection methods and filter design for chemical processing. After being discharged from the army he went to work for the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company spending more than 37 years with them before retiring in 1991. After retiring the first time Jerry spent 2 days a week as a volunteer Chemistry tutor at OSU Tech. He mainly tutored pre-nursing students who had to pass chemistry to be admitted to the school of nursing. He was a very effective tutor and made a big difference in their lives.He was a member of the Interfaith Alliance of Oklahoma. He served on the board of the Contact Crisis Hotline for many years, having attended the second training class after the establishment of the organization. Jerry was a member of Mayflower United Church of Christ in Oklahoma City and served on the Board of Directors, the Music board, and as a Deacon.He also enjoyed listening to Classical Music and reading Theology.Jerry married Myrna McCaslin Gilfillan and her four children John David Gilfillan, Elizabeth Ann Gilfillan, James Stirling Gilfillan, and Perry Earl Gilfillan on July 15, 1977. We have been blessed to have him in our lives for the last 45 years. He has enriched our lives and I hope ours his. Thank you for making us and our many Portuguese Water Dogs a part of your life.He was preceded in death by his parents and a younger sister Janice.He leaves his wife Myrna Gowman and youngest Step-son, Perry Gilfillan of the home.Their Step-son, John Gilfillan and his wife Laura Scott Gilfillan and their daughter, Heather Elizabeth Gilfillan and great-grandson, Skyler Gilfillan, all of Houston, Texas.His Step-son, James Stirling Gilfillan and his wife Mary Ramirez Gilfillan and their three children, Mary Gilfillan, and Victoria of OKC, OK. Also Christina Gilfillan Vardaro and husband Blake Vardaro, their two children, Augustus and Juniper Vardaro, of Edmond, OK. Also, Corrina and her husband Carlos Hardeman and their children Carlos Junior, Belle, and Alana Hardeman.Elizabeth Anne Gilfillan Hull and husband Marc Hull of OKC, and grandchildren Alec Hull of Boulder, CO. and Calvin Hull of Fort Wayne, IN.