Charles Otto Gowen

Charles Otto Gowen
April 17, 1939 ~ November 7, 2017

Charles Otto Gowen went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on November 7, 2017 at his family home in Montrose. Chuck was born on April 17, 1939 to S. Otto and Audrey L. Gowen (Evans) in Lewis, Kansas, at his family’s farm house. He was the first born of six children. The young family relocated to Las Animas, Colorado but returned to Wichita, Kansas, in 1941 to join the war effort and work at the Boeing Aircraft Plant. Chuck received schooling and graduated from the Wichita High School West in Wichita, Kansas. He then moved to Colorado Springs in 1957. He joined and served in the Army from 1958 to 1960 and was in the reserves from 1961 to 1964. He returned to the Woodland Park and Colorado Springs area and then move to Monument, Colorado in 1967. He worked as a machinist inspector and remodeling contractor. In 1978 he moved to Montrose, Colorado, where he developed rental properties and farmed.
He married Linda Stanhope in July 1960 and had four children with her. They were married for 17 years. He married Karen Cox in 1984 and would have celebrated 33 years of marriage this November.
He was a member of the Mt. Olivet Methodist Church of Wichita, a past member of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Posse, a member of the American Legion Post 73, and a lifelong member of the NRA. He was a 52 year blood donor and had donated more than 11 gallons of blood! His greatest loves were first and foremost his Lord Jesus Christ followed by all of his family. He greatly enjoyed family gatherings, the mountains, hunting, gardening, sunsets, and visiting other areas of the west.
He was preceded in death by his parents, stepson Kevin Cox, granddaughter Grace, great granddaughter Jenna Bell, his brothers Gary Gowen and Patrick Gowen, grandson Nicholas Miles, and three nephews, Bradley Gowen, Lucas Gowen, and Shawn Henson.
He is survived by his wife Karen, son Gregg Gowen, daughter Christi Prettyman, daughter Marci (Matt) Miles, son Doug (Julie) Gowen, stepdaughter Drena Brown, as well as 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, his brother Mike (Laura) Gowen, his sister JoEllen (Bob) Henson and sister Rita Gowen, plus numerous nieces and nephews.
There will be a graveside service with Military Honors at the Grand View Cemetery (16300 6450 Ct) in Montrose on Monday, November 13 at 11:00 A.M. in the morning. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, or the NRA. Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory in Montrose is assisting the family.