James Cecil Gowan

James (Jim) Cecil Gowan, born in Ukiah September 3, 1924, died peacefully at his home in Philo on February 28, 2011. He was the youngest and last surviving of Cecil and Alice Gowan's five children. In his younger days, Jim was a square dancer with the Redwood Squares in Anderson Valley. He played baritone in the high school band, was recognized as one of the best players in the state, and graduated from Anderson Valley High School in 1942. He lived his entire life on the farm near Philo, except for the three years he served our country in the Army Air Corps during World War II from 1943 to 1946. On May 23, 1946, he married Josephine Hackley of New Mexico. After the war, James and Jo formed a business partnership with Cecil and Alice, creating M. Cecil Gowan and Son, which later became Gowan Orchards. In 1950, they built the fruit stand, Gowan's Oak Tree, beside the tree where Alice had sold produce since 1930. In 1947, their first of seven children was born. James was a member of many boards, committees, and organizations. Among them were the American Legion, the Anderson Valley Farm Center, and the Mendocino County Historical Society. He served as a representative and president of the Mendocino County Farm Bureau. He also represented the Lake County/Mendocino County District to the California Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors, was a member of the Early Apple Advisory Board, and chairman of the California Apple Advisory Board. James served on the Mendocino County Grand Jury for two years, one of them as chairman. He was a member of the Boonville United Methodist Church, where he served on the Board, often attending the Northern California/Nevada Conference annual meeting as a delegate. He was also on the school board for the Anderson Valley Unified School District and was a sports booster at the local junior high and high schools. In later years, James participated in the Farmers Market, managed one of the weekly markets, and served on the advisory board. In 1982 James was named Farmer of the Year by the Mendocino County Farm Bureau, and in 1994 he and wife Jo received the Agriculturalist of the Year award from the California 12th Agricultural District. He is survived by Josephine, his wife of 64 years; his seven children and their spouses, Cecil and Sue Gowan of Potter Valley, Henry Gowan and Sue Walker of Forestville, Raymond and Karen Gowan of Redwood Valley, Carl and Donna Gowan of San Rafael, Vivian Gowan and Roland Garrison of Tigard, OR, Grace and Otilio Espinoza of Philo, Donald and Sharon Gowan of Philo; 24 grand children; 26 great-grand children; three great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. A memorial service will be held at the Boonville United Methodist Church at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 5th. Memorial donations may be made to the Alice Gowan Memorial Scholarship c/o Savings Bank of Mendocino County or to the Anderson Valley Ambulance Service. Eversole Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.