More detail on this person: Johnny Keith
Gower, age 77, passed away peacefully at his
home surrounded by his family. Johnny was born
December 9, 1934 to Alvin and Mildred Gower in
Kendrick, Oklahoma.
Johnny moved to Pasco in 1944 and graduated from
Pasco High School in 1952. After High school he
attended Washington State University. He then
moved to Cheney to attend Eastern Washington
College. While at Eastern he was selected for
ROTC and received his commission in 1956. His
first assignment after college was in the Field
Artillery Branch of the army at Ft. Bliss, Texas
as an Electronics Instructor. After completing his
two years at Ft. Bliss he went to flight school
and became proficient in fixed wing and
helicopters. In 1960 he received orders for a
three year tour in Germany.
Johnny served two combat tours in Viet Nam
starting in 1965 with the newly formed Air Calvary
Division. During these tours he served with the
Bullwhip Squadron C Troop 1/9th and 117th AHC
Company, as well as many other assignments. He
received numerous awards and decorations,
including several air medals.
When Johnny returned from Viet Nam, he was
selected to attend Command and General Staff
College in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. He spent
seven years assigned to CACDA (Combat Arms
Combat Development Activity). After many
commands, awards and schools, Johnny retired as
a Lieutenant Colonel after serving 22 years in the
US Army.
After retiring from the army, he and his family
returned to Pasco. He then worked for Battelle
Northwest for 20 years. While there he was a
Department of Defense project manager.
Johnny is survived by his High School sweetheart
Barbara Conn who he married in 1953. They had 3
children, Johnny Keith Gower, Jr., Kathy Jean
Bausch, and Karen Leigh Cooper (Blair); 8
grandchildren, Nick, Tony, Ben, Kalleigh and Marty
Bausch, Amanda Gower, Cody and Casey Cooper;
great grandchildren Caleb, Brayden, Brooklynn,
Tabion, Joziah; his brother Jimmy (Jan) and
family, Jenny (Dennis) Rogers; Jimmy Jr. (Mary),
Wade, Wyatt and Wilhelmina; also Jerry's surviving
children, Jayna (Craig Motzkus), Janel Clum, Jerry
Gower, Jr.; cousin, DeWayne (Frankie) Gower and
family; Aunt Helen Gower.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and
Mildred Gower and brother Jerry.
Special mention to close friends and neighbors
Lance and Waleta Michael, Glen and Mary Simons,
Roma and Ted Walters, Lori and Dale Lindsey,
Sonny Putman, Class of '52, Bill and Doris
Williams.
Johnny loved to fly and really enjoyed his
antiques and especially his antique cars. He
bought a 1940 Chev like the car that he and Barb
used when dating in High School.
In the 5th grade Johnny made a list of his goals
for his life. We can proudly say he completed
these goals by being in the army and becoming an
aviator.
No words can express how much he will be missed
nor how much he is loved by all his family and
friends. He fought a valiant battle with his
cancer. He was a wonderful husband, father,
grandfather, great-grandfather and brother, uncle
and cousin.
We want to express our sincere "Thank you" to
everyone at Lourdes and Kadlec Hospitals,
Columbia Basin Hematology and Oncology Center,
Tri-City Home Health (especially Clay and Linda);
Hospice at the Chaplaincy, Chaplain Tim and
Cassia, Dr. John Intravatolo and Commander Lyle
Gilk.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the
charity of your choice or Hospice at the
Chaplaincy, 2108 W. Entiat, Kennewick.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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