A. DAMON GOWAN
1936-2017
A. Damon Gowan passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 5, 2017. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many.
Damon is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carolyn; his daughters Nanette Gowan, Denise Gowan, and Mitzi Page and husband Tom; grandchildren Ashley Babitt and husband Jeff, Aubrey Snider and wife Denise, Amelia Snider, Haley Page Celestin and husband Bobby, Brett Sherwood, Matthew Page, Michael Sherwood, and Emily Page; greatgrandchildren Kate Babitt, Landree Babitt, Owen Babitt, Olivia Snider, and William Celestin; brother Clinton Gowan, Jr. and wife Vivian; and cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by baby daughter Sherri Marie Gowan; parents Clinton Odell Gowan, Sr. and Anna V. Gowan; and sister, Virginia Ann Gowan.
Damon was born on August 8, 1936, grew up in the Garden Oaks area, graduated from John H. Reagan High School, and was an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1958 as a Distinguished Military Graduate. Damon served four and one-half years in the U.S. Army as a fixed-wing pilot, pilot instructor, and Company Commander in the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment. He retired from the Army at the rank of Captain to join his father and brother in the family business, Gowan Sheet Metal. As the company grew from a sheet metal sub-contractor to a mechanical contractor, Damon became President and CEO of Gowan, Inc. and partnered in the construction of many iconic Houston buildings, including those in the Houston Medical Center and downtown.
As a native Houstonian, Damon was deeply committed in service to his community, to Texas A&M University, and to his professional associations. He served as President of the Administrative Board for St. Matthews United Methodist Church, President of Pine Forest Country Club, and gave of his time, talent and treasure to many Houston area organizations. He served on the Board of Visitors for Texas A&M University, and was a member of the Century Club and the 12th Man Foundation. In addition, he was an integral part of establishing a new degree specialization for Architectural Engineering at Texas A&M University.
Damon’s service to his professional community reached beyond the Houston area. He was President of ASHRAE, a global professional organization that advances the research, standards-writing, publishing and continuing education for heating, ventilating, refrigerating, and air-conditioning. In addition, he served as President of the National Environmental Balancing Board (NEBB), an international standards and certification association.
Upon his retirement to Galveston, Damon became very involved in the Galveston community. He served on the Board of Visitors for Texas A&M UniversityGalveston Campus, on the Board of Directors for The Grand 1894 Opera House, and as President of Galveston County Club.
As a man of all seasons, he enjoyed fishing, golfing and hunting. Damon considered his greatest fulfillment to be his love and interactions with his family and friends.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2017 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at J. Levy & Termini Funeral Home, 2128 Broadway, Galveston, Texas 77550. A burial ceremony will be held on Friday, September 15, 2017 from 11:30 A.M. to 11:45 A.M. at Houston National Cemetery, with Reverend Bob Bullock officiating. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2017 from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the Galveston Country Club, 14228 Stewart Road, Galveston, Texas 77554.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to UTMB Department of Internal Medicine Alumni Society, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555; MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210; The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St, Galveston, TX, 77550; ASHRAE Foundation, Attn: Margaret Smith, 1791 Tullie Circle NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329.
For those wishing to send online condolences, please go to jlevyfuneralhome.com.