Elvis McGowen

Elvis McGowen, 68, Ottawa,Kan. died Saturday Jan. 20, 2007, at Ransom Memorial Hospital, Ottawa. Services will be 7 p.m. Wednesday at Dengel and Son Mortuary, Ottawa

He was born May 12, 1938, at Poplar Bluff, Mo., to Raleigh and Vada (Humphrey) McGowen.

He attended schools in Picher, Okla.

He served in the United States Army from 1961 to 1963. He attained the rank of private first class. He was awarded commendations and citations which included expert (flame thrower), Army of Occupation medal (Berlin) and armed forces expeditionary medal (sharpshooter rifle M14).

He was a member of the North Baptist Church, Ottawa.

He worked on the road crew at the Paola substation of the Kansas Department of Transportation. He retired in 2003. He also worked at Fashion, Inc., Ottawa, for eight years. He also worked as a welder at Wolf Creek Power Plant. He also worked in construction.

He married Bonnie McCoy June 29, 2002, at Ottawa. She survives.

Survivors also include brothers, Robert "Goose" McGowen, and his wife, Stella, Joplin, Mo.; Charles Wesley "Dink" McGowen, and his wife, Janice, Treece; Dick McGowen and his wife, Carol, Picher, Okla.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by sister Barbara Pugh and her husband, Clarence.