Duane L McGowen – Born March 8, 1936 in Laverne, OK to Virgil & Gertrude McGowen, died August 19, 2023 in Hutchinson, KS.
He was a graduate of Johnson High School (today’s Stanton County High School), Johnson, KS. After graduation he served in the United States Army for 3 years, then transferred to the United States Airforce serving 4 years and then returned to the United States Army serving 4 more years. He was Honorably Discharged having earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal – 2 Bronze Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal Device 60, Good Conduct Medal, Sharpshooter (Rifle M-14) and the Parachutist Badge. Duane then moved to Hutchinson where he was a clerk for the United States Postal Service for 25 years. After retirement from USPS, he worked at WalMart for approximately 15 years.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Raymond, Vernon & Patricia McGowen, Juanita Austin, Yvonne Foster & sister-in-law Nadine McGowen.
Survived by his children: Tonya & Darin Gehring, Buhler, Kim & Bill Rupp, Moundridge, Laura & Theodore Dawson, Newton and Jay & William Malone, Hutchinson. Grandchildren: Adam (Becky) Gehring of Buhler, Megan (John) Sizemore and Jessika (Dennis) Board of Hutchinson, Brianna Jones-Rupp of Wichita, Brayden Rupp of Moundridge and Ridge, Breckyn (Bret Schmidt) & Aspyn Dawson of Newton. Great-grandchildren: Kalib, DJ, Dennis, Elliot, Karmann, Scout, Holland, Ellie, Harleigh, Lori, Kymber & Violet. His siblings: Joe McGowen & Trudy McGowen of Hutchinson. The mother of his children: Lois Scates. Duane also had numerous nieces and nephews claiming him as “their favorite Uncle”.
In lieu of flowers, donations are recommended to: Reno County Veterans Memorial, 2 South Main St, South Hutchinson, KS 67505 or the Hutchinson Animal Shelter, 1501 S Severance, Hutchinson, KS 67501.
Cremation has taken place and a Military Service is being planned for the Buhler East Cemetery at a later date.