Richie Wayne McGowan

Richie Wayne McGowan November 27, 1961 - February 13, 2012 Family and friends will always remember Richie for his one of a kind loving heart, and generosity. Richie had a larger than life personality that gained him lifelong friends everywhere he went. He was an amazing man who will be missed by all who knew him. Richie Wayne McGowan was born on November 27, 1961 in Bakersfield CA. He graduated from West High School in 1979. Richie worked for his father, Mel McGowan, at MMI Services from the age of 16. He enjoyed working hands on in every aspect of the company. Friends at work would not describe Richie as a typical boss but rather a friend, colleague, and equal. He treated everybody with respect and kindness. Richie would give anybody a second chance at work...often times a third, fourth or fifth chance as well! In 1982 Richie met the love of his life, Renee Ferguson, through a mutual friend and they were married a year later on May 07, 1983. Richie and Renee' were blessed with three daughters; Sarah, Crystie, and Tina. Richie enjoyed spending time with his girls doing all the typical "father-daughter" activities. He'd take them camping and four wheeling at the beach, boating and skiing, and shared his passion for dirt track racing with his youngest daughter Tina. He also enjoyed spending time with his family at his father's house in Shell Beach, and family vacations to Bass Lake in the summer. In 2010 Richie was blessed with more girls who would steal his heart with the birth of his granddaughters, Kirrah Perez and Cadence Arnold. The girls soon had their papa wound tight around their little fingers! In December 2011, finally a little boy! Richie was elated to hear the news of his grandson Paul Perez, and another granddaughter Bethany Arnold due this month. Richie was involved in many competitive sports and excelled in all of them. He played on the city softball league in the 90's, and enjoyed playing racquetball, golf, skiing, and motorsports of all kinds. Richie was a regular at Seven Oaks Country Club and golf course. Anybody that knew him knew he was an avid Miami Dolphins fan (and avid is putting it mildly!). He finally satisfied his competitive nature and need for speed when he became involved at the Bakersfield Speedway in 2002. His competitiveness; however, was trumped by his heart of gold and generosity! I think many would agree he might have been better off in racing had he not helped most of his fellow competitors. Family and friends often tried to remind him of the word "NO" and how to use it, but he never could adopt that word into his vocabulary! Seeing others happy is what made Richie happy, he would give the shirt off his back to help a friend or even strangers. Richie always felt fortunate and found joy in sharing his blessings with his family and friends. On February 13, 2012 we lost an amazing one of a kind man too soon, when the lord called him home. Preceded in death by: Grandmother Maudie Hamm, Grandfather Bob Fugate, uncle Jerry Pope, Aunt Joyce Hathorn and brother in-law Paul Ferguson and cousin Larry Bowman. He was survived by: wife Renee McGowan, daughters and sons in-law; Sarah and Rudy Perez, Crystie and Bradley Arnold, Tina McGowan and Bradley Pounds, mother Barbara McGowan, father and stepmother Mel and Suzanne McGowan, grandchildren; Kirrah and Paul Perez, Cadence and Bethany Arnold, brother, sister and niece; Stevie, Brenn and Peyton McGowan, brother Bobby McGowan, nephew, niece and great niece; David, Channing, and Aubrey McGowan, grandmother Lola Fugate. Aunts, uncles, and several cousins and countless beloved friends. Everyone is welcome to join the family in remembering Richie at Funeral Services on Tuesday, February 21st 10A.M. at Valley Bible Fellowship at 2300 East Brundage Lane. Basham Funeral Home www.bakersfield.com/obits