charles andrew mcgowan
1928-1995
Life Story
U.S. Army Veteran • Korean War • Ford Motor Company Retiree
Early Life and Family
Charles Andrew McGowan was born on May 21, 1928, in Paulding, Jasper County, Mississippi, to:
- Percy McGowan (1885–1973)
- Lula Shaw McGowan (1889–1961)
He grew up in rural Mississippi and later attended school in the Newton County School System, where he would eventually earn a Bachelor’s degree from M.I. College.
Education and Interests
During his college years, Charles was active in campus life. He enjoyed:
- Singing in the college choir
- Playing football
These activities reflected his outgoing personality and love for community involvement.
Military Service
Charles McGowan served his country proudly.
He was inducted into the U.S. Army on September 25, 1951, and served during the Korean War. His service placed him among the many African American soldiers who fought abroad while navigating segregation and limited civil rights at home.
Career
After his military service, Charles relocated to Michigan, where he worked for many years at the Ford Truck Plant. He eventually retired from the company, remembered as a dependable and respected employee.
Death and Burial
Charles A. McGowan passed away on April 8, 1995, at the Garden City Hospital in Garden City, Wayne County, Michigan. Funeral services were held at the James H. Cole Home for Funerals in Detroit, with interment in the Evans Cemetery in Newton, Mississippi, returning him home to his family’s ancestral grounds.
Pallbearers included family, co-workers, and friends, a testament to the impact he made in both Mississippi and Michigan.
Resting Place
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1940 Federal Census
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
- Michigan, U.S., Death Index, 1971-1996
- Scott County Times, Mr. Charles McGowan Obituary, Wed, Apr 19, 1995 ·Page 8
- U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1
- U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947
- U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
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