Norman McGowan,

Norman Lloyd McGowan, Jr., 87, loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother-in-law, friend, and PROFESSIONAL pilot, passed away with his family around him on Sunday, February 19th, at Universal Hospice, Fort Worth, Texas. Celebration of Life: Saturday, March 17, 2012, at Richland Hills Christian Church, 3908 Ruth Road, Fort Worth, 817-284-8679. Pictures and memorabilia from his life will be set up in the gathering area of the church at 10 a.m. and the service will start at 10:30. Please join us in the church fellowship hall for lunch afterward so we can continue to share stories about him. Norm, also known as "Mac" and "June", was born in Greenville, TX on February 13, 1925, to N. L. McGowan, Sr. and Dura Bowen McGowan. Norm grew up in the Cumby and Campbell area east of Dallas and attended Friendship School near Cumby. After the death of his mother he and his dad moved to the Dallas area. Norm graduated from Wilmer-Hutchins High School where he played on the varsity basketball team. It was during high school that he met the love of his life, Peggy, at a youth event at Fernwood Baptist Church in Oak Cliff. Many days, he walked four to five miles to see her. They married in 1943 in Chickasha, Oklahoma when he was in Officer's Training School for the Army Air Corps. Other than his family, flying was Norm's greatest passion. He was inspired at an early age from seeing airplanes overhead while picking cotton and from flying rubber-band powered model airplanes with his pals. Norm flew the C-47 for the Army Air Corps during WWII, the A-26 with the Air Force in Korea, the DC-3 with Pioneer Airlines, and then everything from DC-3s to jets with Continental Airlines-- the Proud Bird with the Golden Tail! His proudest career achievement was becoming an International Captain on the DC-10. After retirement, Norm continued with his love of flying by instructing as well as piloting airplanes for the Civil Air Patrol and the Commemorative Air Force. He also flew the Continental Airlines Historical Society's restored DC-3, N25673, to many air shows. In 2011 Norm bought a 1976 Cessna 172M and loved flying with son Andy, grandson Tony, closest friend Russ Coonley, and good guy Nick Richardson. His last flight was with Andy and Nick on Jan 5, 2011. "We all shot landings and then had lunch at the Runway Cafe, it was a really good day!" Just as he served his country, he served his church and community. He was affiliated with the Disciples of Christ, serving as elder and deacon at Richland Hills Christian Church, Hurst Christian Church and Rosemont Christian Church (Oak Cliff) where he was a member of the Builders class. Norm and Peggy were proud of having served as temporary managers of the Christian Youth Camp in Athens, TX in the 1980's. Together he and wife Peggy served 20 years with Meals on Wheels. He and Peggy loved meeting up with old Continental friends through ARECA and CARM (the RV offshoot of ARECA). They caravanned to annual meet-ups all over the country with these groups. Most of all Norm loved his family. He celebrated family special events and enjoyed many family trips and weekends with his children, grand, and great grandchildren as well as with the Thompson clan and friends and relatives from Friendship Church. He and Peggy loved travelling and created many wonderful memories during their years of air travel, cruising and being on the road in their motor home. Norm was loved and respected by his family, fellow flyers and friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved Peggy, his father and his mother. Survivors: daughter Vicki Malley; daughter Susan Phillips and husband, Bill; son Andy and wife Marlene Mendel; grandson Tony Malley, wife Michelline and great grandson Aaron McGowan Malley; granddaughter Lara Shankle, husband Steve and great granddaughter Madison; brother-in-law Leon Thompson and wife Dixie; brother-in-law Sonny Thompson; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Norman McGowan, please visit our Sympathy Store.