Eugene McGowan of Marion

MARION - Eugene McGowan, 89, of Marion, passed away at 11:16 a.m. on Sunday, March 3, 2019 at his home.

Eugene was born Oct. 24, 1929 in Creal Springs, the son of Ralph and Myrtle May (Hood) McGowan. He married Gypsy J. Allen on Aug. 7, 1951 at Cana Church, and together they shared more than 67 years of marriage.

Eugene was a man of God and the oldest living member and deacon of Mt. Moriah General Baptist Church in Creal Springs. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Williamson County Shrine Club.

He was retired as a lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Army, where he bravely served 20 years during the Vietnam War and the Korean conflict. He was a helicopter pilot transporting troops during missions and various generals to headquarters. He had a near-death experience where his mission was changed and the transport he was supposed to pilot was destroyed.

He received the Bronze Star for bravery. He had nine lives and truly enjoyed talking about choppers. Once retired, he began another career managing buses in Herrin, Johnston City, Cairo and Marion for RW Harmon Buses. He was a witty man who enjoyed tinkering with things around his shop and camping in Texas. He will be dearly missed.

Survivors include his wife, Gypsy McGowan of Marion; daughters, Cheryl Ann Rister (Ivan) of Harrisburg and Eugina Axe (David) of Goreville; three grandchildren, Pamela Sue Rister of Morganfield, Kentucky, Savannah Jeralds of Goreville and Tiffany Rinne of St. Louis; four great-grandchildren, Kren Lee Rister, Karis Monique Taborn, Kean Tyrone Taborn, Braiden Michael Connor; two great-great-grandchildren, "Princess Leia" and "Fern Gulley;" sister, Melba Mausey, of Crab Orchard; and several nieces and nephews.

Eugene was preceded in death by his parents; son, Michael Allen McGowan; three grandchildren, Ivan Rister, Jr., Timara Nichole Rister and Nicholas Shawn Rister; sister, Mary Louise McGowan; and his twin sister, Pauline Holmes.

Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 7 at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion with Pastor Ben Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in Egyptian Memorial Gardens. Military rites will be presented.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

For those who prefer, memorials may be made to Mt. Moriah General Baptist Church. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, 800 N. Market St., in Marion.

For additional information or to sign the guest memorial register visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com.