John Gower

Family-Placed Obituary

GOWER, John Allan passed away on April 1 at the VA. John was born on 8/17/24 in Austin, MN to Roland Dewey and Geraldine Lemmon. He graduated from Austin High School in 1942. John entered the military service in 1943. He served with Patton's Third Army in Europe. He was a member of the 87th 'Golden Acorn' Infantry Division. John was injured in Libramont, Belgium on January 11, 1945 and received a Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged on 11/18/45. John married Barbara Fisch 3/6/46. John and Barb grew their family of 4 children. They taught their children well and were exceptional parents and partners. John graduated from the Iowa State University in 1950 with a BS in forestry. He began a long sales career with the Edward Hines Lumber Co. selling quality, wholesale pine lumber products. He was the Salesman of the Year in 1964. In the 1980's John moved to California and received his divers certificate. He dove the tropical waters throughout the Caribbean and traveled on the Calypso. In the late 1980's John moved to Australia, dove the Great Reef, met and married Jan Langley. John and Jan lived their days in the tropical surroundings of Queensland between the reef and the rainforest. John moved back to Dayton in 2004 and lived with his son. John was preceded in death by his parents and step parents, brother Cliff, nephew Craig, daughter Barbara, Jon and wife Jan. John is survived by children, Martha, Libby, John, special lifelong friend and mother of his children, Barbara, grandchildren Emily, Douglas and families, grandchildren Eleanor and Christopher, sister Susan, brother Hank, sister-in-law Mary and families, Aussie friends Nan, David, Michelle, Stan and Yvonne, local friends Diane, Dick and others, relatives, in-laws and friends around the country and Mr. Thumbs. His dry wit and sense of humor will be missed by all. There will be no public visitation. A private ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 8. John will be buried in historic Woodland Cemetery. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. Arrangements Westbrock Funeral Home Wayne Ave. GOWER, Jan Langley passed away at Cairns Base Hospital in Cairns, Queensland, on 7/10/04 following a lengthy illness, Jan was born on 1/31/50 to George Henry (a journeyman baker) and Lillian May in Cambridge England. Jan graduated from the Cambridge Grammar School. Jan was trained as a nurse in Cambridge England and moved to Australia in 1972. Jan worked as a nurse at Westmead Hospital N.S.W., Cairns Base Hospital N.S.W. and Darwin Private Hospital N.T. Jan received a Certificate from the N.S.W. Health Commission in Sterilizing Technology in 1980. Jan loved her animals, her garden and her lime tree. Jan is survived by sister Rita and brother-in-law John and brother Alan in England, many dear friends throughout England and Queensland but particularly in Mossman - Nan, David, Michelle, Stan, Yvonne and many others including the gang at the Mossman Golf Club. Jan will be buried in historic Woodland Cemetery with husband John. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Leukemia Society.

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