Obituary of James E. Gowan

James Eliot Gowan, 36, of Summerville, SC, husband of Ericka Lynn Beebe Gowan, passed away Tuesday, May 18, 2010. "Jim" bravely fought a brain tumor at home with the loving help of his wife Ericka and his family. Born September 26, 1973, in Racine, WI, he was the first of three children of James Dennis Gowan and Connie Elaine Hine Gowan. Jim lived in the Jamestown area for 16 years. He graduated from Maple Grove High School and then from Jamestown Community College. Later, he and his family moved to the Charleston, SC area when his employer of ten years, Hagemeyer North America, transferred him. Jim was so likeable. It's easy to understand why Jim made so many friends everywhere he lived. Thank you to everyone who enriched Jim's life along the way. Also, The Gowans want to thank all of their friends for their kindness, helpfulness, and generosity during these difficult months. Mr. Gowan is survived by his wife of ten years, Ericka B. Gowan and their two children, James "Mason" Gowan, who is named in a tradition that has spanned five generations, and Jackson Wayne Gowan, who is named in honor of Jim's father-in-law. Jim is also survived by his parents, Jim and Connie Gowan of Lillian, AL; brother Michael Gowan and his wife Gillian of Lexington, KY; sister, Jessica Smith, her husband Heath and their children Samantha and Sidney of Signal Mountain, TN; maternal grandmother, Hazel Hine of Crescent City, FL; parents-in-law, Cheryl and Wayne Beebe of Jamestown, NY, sister-in-law, Johanna Winton (Todd) their children, Jacob, Abbey, and Emily all of Sinclairville, NY and Michele Straight (Mel Egelston) her children, Jenna and Caitlin all of Niobe, NY; and his maternal grandmother-in-law, Irene Hoffman of Jamestown, NY. Jim is predeceased by his paternal grandparents James Edward and DeNelda Johnson Gowan and his maternal grandfather Walter Jack Hine. The funeral will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the Lind Funeral Home. Msgr. Joseph M. Dowdell, pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church will officiate. A gathering will be held at Maplehurst Country Club immediately following the service. Friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 101 John James Audubon Parkway, Amherst, New York 14228 or online at www.cancer.org. Memorials may also be made to Hospice of Chautauqua County, 20 West Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, New York 14750 You may light a candle in remembrance of Jim at www.lindfuneralhome.com