Roy Wayne Gowler
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Roy Wayne Gowler, age 96, a resident of Tempe, Arizona since 1971, formerly of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, passed away Sunday, April 26, 2020, at his home. Roy was born September 8, 1923 in Jefferson County Illinois, the only child of Crate Gowler and Amanda (Shelton) Gowler. On January 22, 1946, he married Judith Fern Whisenhunt, and she preceded him in death February 12, 2012 in Tempe Arizona. Surviving family include: 3 children: Monica Sue (Roger) Christ; Cynthia Faye Russell; and Steven Lee Gowler and companion Janet Brown. 3 grandsons: Ryan Wayne Gowler; Johnathan Daniel Russell; and Benjamin James Russell. 1 great grandson: Jalen Roy Gowler. Several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Special companion: Tabby cat. Special Arizona family friends: Thelma McCluskey and Lois Ripley. In addition to his wife Judy, Roy was preceded in death by his parents; step brother Robert Patrick “Pat” Gowler; step sister Ruzzilla “Ruth” Gowler; and step sister Ruby Grace Gowler (James) Russell. Roy was a decorated army veteran of World War II and served as a medic in the Battle of the Bulge and Normandy Invasion. His work career included being a derrick man in oilfields in Illinois, Missouri, Colorado, Utah, Texas, and Wyoming. He worked as a railway mail clerk on the B & O Railroad and also worked in the Mt. Vernon, Illinois and Tempe, Arizona post offices before retiring in 1985. Roy enjoyed history, travelling, country music, genealogy, gardening, attending military, railway mail clerk and school reunions. He was a fan of Chicago sports teams—Cubs, White Sox, and Bulls. He had a fondness for animals and always had a pet in the home, many during his lifetime. Roy and Judy travelled the United States, Europe, Asia, the Holy Lands, and cruised to Alaska and Caribbean and Panama Canal. Roy was a lifetime, diehard Democrat. Favorite pastimes were watching the Lawrence Welk show every Saturday evening, watching country music shows on RFD TV, tinkering with watches and clocks, being a “journalist” by clipping newspaper articles and distributing them to his friends and relatives, and talking to his friends about the “old times”. He wore out many a mouse while playing Freecell on his computer!! Roy always tried to keep in contact with his army and railway mail clerk buddies when he traveled. When planning a family trip, if any lived close by, he would go out of his way to call or visit. Several times he contacted army buddies he hadn’t communicated with since the war, and they were so surprised and pleased that he would remember them. Some were in nursing homes. Roy would share military photos and articles that might be of interest to them. Roy was in the class of 1941 at Webber Township High School and very much enjoyed attending his school reunions in Bluford, Illinois and also the mini reunions with school alumni in Sun City West, Arizona. He will be sadly missed by his family. They will miss him breaking out in song at almost any moment when a comment, thought, etc. reminded him of a song. His knowledge of old country music songs and their songwriters was phenomenal. Friends and neighbors looked forward to his phone calls, news clippings, and birthday, anniversary and holiday cards. Tabby will certainly miss running the household. Throughout their lives, Roy and Judy continually taught their children to be honest, kind, thoughtful of others, not wasteful, hardworking, and to “live within your means.” Private services and burial were held at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery in Mesa, Arizona.
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