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Gowan L. Cecil Dallas, TX QCWA # 19685 Chapter 41 |
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Gowan Lanier Cecil died peacefully at home on February 24, 2013. Gowan was born in Pampa, Texas on June 18, 1917.
He was raised on a wheat farm with his parents Susie Maud Gowan Cecil, John Lee Cecil, brother Robert, and sister Mary Vivian. Gowan and his family later moved to Dallas, Texas and lived on Cochran Chapel Road.
Gowan graduated from Southern Methodist University in the late 1930's.
After the outbreak of WWII, Gowan entered the Navy and became on officer with a specialty in radio communications. Gowan was stationed in Hawaii and the Panama Canal Zone.
After the war he became a Ham Radio enthusiast, building his own radios and making friends throughout the world through his communications. (Gowan was licensed in 1934)
In the late 1940's Gowan began to study the mosaic tile industry. With the help of his father he constructed a plant in Farmers Branch, Texas which began operations as Lonestar Ceramics in 1951. Lonestar Ceramics sold tile internationally until its closure in 2006.
While living in Dallas, Gowan and his wife Marlene Burns Cecil were members of the Highland Park United Methodist Church.
They enjoyed their family, theater, friends, art, and international travel.
Gowan and Marlene relocated to Savannah, Georgia in 2003 to be near family and spend time with their great-grandchildren.
Gowan, age 95 leaves us with many wonderful memories. He touched and influenced many lives. Those who knew him would all agree that Gowan was a wonderful person and an exceptional gentleman. We loved him and he will be greatly missed by all.
Surviving Gowan are his two step-sons, Larry Thomas Williams and wife Barbara of Roanoke, Virginia and Charles Michael Williams and wife Drew of Altamonte Springs, Florida; grandson, Matthew Williams and wife Aimee of Owensboro, Kentucky; two granddaughters, Kimberly Williams Smith and husband Mark of Savannah, Georgia, and Kelly Williams Sayago and her husband Lee of Orlando, Florida; and Rose Ann Williams of Savannah, Georgia; great-grandchildren, Delle Smith, Gowan Smith, Koleton Williams, and Madison Kennedy.
The family would like to thank the special care given by our Angels on earth, Deborah Scott, Irene Blake, and Yvonne Hunter.
A memorial visitation will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 28th at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
A graveside service will be in Dallas, Texas at Restland Cemetery on Saturday, March 2nd at 11:00 a.m.
Remembrances in the memory of Gowan Lanier Cecil may be sent to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch & Girlstown USA, P.O. Box 1890, Amarillo, Texas, The Alzheimer's Association [] , 201 Television Circle, Savannah, Georgia 31406, or Highland Park United Methodist Church, 3300 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, Texas 75205.
Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel