James Allen Gowan

James Allen “Jim” Gowan, 76, of New Philadelphia, Ohio, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on July 18, 2024 following a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Cleveland on March 18, 1948, he was the son of the late William H. and Virginia Gowan, Jr.

On August 29, 1969, Jim married the love of his life, Sandra Kay “Sandy” Reiser Gowan. The high school sweethearts were married for 54 years.

After completing his formal education, Jim spent his lifetime on the road working in railroad equipment sales. He loved life on the road and spent his later years sharing that love with Sandy. The two traveling companions navigated Jim’s sales territory in a huge Tiffin RV crisscrossing the United States and Canada.

Jim was an avid boater who put his sales skills to good use teaching many people how to water ski. Jim took countless friends boating where he was guaranteed to ask, “Is the ladder up?” before he hit the throttle and took off. He also enjoyed taking naive tubers out for the ride of their lives - especially on Dale Hollow Lake in Tennessee! Pursuing a lifelong dream, Jim spent 5 years fully restoring a 1930 Ford Model A. He and Sandy loved cruising in the Model A throughout Tuscarawas County in search of the best ice cream around.

Jim loved anything remote control and spent many years involved in the local Oldtown Valley Flyers Club. His passion was sharing the joy of model airplanes with countless ‘flying buddies.’ Although he brought an occasional plane home in a bushel basket, he was known to be a pretty amazing pilot who loved to train others.

Jim’s faith was nurtured at Dover Alliance Church where he and Sandy were members for over 40 years. God gifted Jim with the attitude and personality of a patient mentor, a reliable friend, and a positive individual who spent a lifetime looking and moving forward. The good Lord blessed Jim and Sandy through the good times and never failed during the difficult times. 

Jim’s legacy will live on in his family including his wife, Sandy; children, Jay (Angie) Gowan of Chillicothe and Julie (Bryan) McCabe of Pittsburgh; his grandchildren, Rachel and Dylan Gowan and Kyra and Sierra McCabe; siblings, Jack (Elise) Gowan and Dr. Ann (Dr. Lowell Shira) Gowan; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Gene (Amy) Reiser, Bill (Claujean Tan) Reiser, and Joan (Eric) Stoner; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in passing by his sister-in-law, Linda Reiser.

Visitation will be held Monday, July 22 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Rev. Rick Rose will officiate a service for Jim in the funeral home chapel on Tuesday beginning at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Schoenbrunn Meadows.

Memorial contributions in Jim’s memory may be directed to Dover Alliance Church.