W.M. Gowdy

W.M. Gowdy, 91, died Saturday, March 15, 2014. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Lakeview Cemetery in Lakeview with Rev. Ken Cole officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Saint Stephen United Methodist Church. Arrangements are by Cox Funeral Home, 4100 Canyon Drive. Mr. Gowdy was born Sept. 25, 1922, in Lakeview to W.M. Gowdy Sr. and Euna Payne Gowdy. He was raised in Lakeview and was a graduate of Lakeview High School. He served in the Army in World War II. He married Violet Bond on Dec. 19, 1947 in Lakeview. Mr. Gowdy was a farmer/rancher in Lakeview most of his life before moving to Amarillo in 2000. Mr. Gowdy was first of all, husband, then daddy, then Pa, then friend. Then came farmer, cattleman, business man and cabinet maker. There wasn't much he couldn't do except brag on himself, be hateful to his fellowman, or disrespect his country or his God. He was a very humble man who loved people. When his kids were little they remember so many times waiting in the car for dad to finish listening to someone's story. Will Rogers had nothing on W.M. Gowdy, for if he had ever met a person he did not like we never knew it. Humility was his greatest trait and it served him very very well. Survivors include his wife, Violet of Amarillo; two sons, Pat Gowdy and his wife Tonda of Amarillo and Gayle Gowdy and wife Diana of McHenry, Ill.; a daughter, Rhonda Logan and husband Cary of Amarillo; two brothers, Jim Gowdy and wife Kathy of Amarillo and Jerry Gowdy and wife Neva of Abilene; two sisters, Mozelle Richburg and husband James of Memphis and Dean Nivens of Burleson; six grandchildren, Casey, Ben, Mike, Jeana, Brianne and Katy; and 18 great-grandchildren. The familys suggests memorials be to Saint Stephen United Methodist Church, Ware Memorial Care Center or Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center to benefit the patients of Baptist Saint Anthony Hospice. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.