To view a livestream of the service please access https://www.mtmsales.net/thomas

Donald Jerry McGowan, 83, Minot, formerly of Union, SC, died Tuesday, January 26, 2021 in a Minot hospital.

Donald was born August 13, 1937 in Union, South Carolina to Clifton and Lucinda (Mosely) McGowan. He called Union home during his youth. After his parents separated, he became the "man" of the house with this mother and two sisters. His greatest memories were made exploring the outdoors. Donald often spoke of the various 'critters' he would find and bring home, even offering a secret space for them under the house, much to his mother's chagrin.

Donald enlisted into the US Air Force on March 5, 1956. He served his country in Alaska and later in Minot, serving as a Communications Specialist and was honorably discharged from active duty on March 4, 1960. He completed his duty as a reservist in March 4, 1962.

In Donald's early days of service, his plan was to return to his native South Carolina. Those plans changed almost immediately upon meeting the lovely young Minot girl who became his soul-mate and absolute love of his life, Sharon Wilhelm. They were united in marriage on August 16, 1959 at First Presbyterian Church and blessed with two children. Married 51 years on earth and 61 years in his heart, theirs was a love story that inspired all who knew them.

Donald found employment with the ND State Highway Department. He played a role in numerous projects during his thirty-four year career, including the construction of the Broadway Bridge. He often mused about losing his wallet during the project, which is still encased in one of the concrete footings of the bridge.  During his time with the Highway Department, Donald served a term as President of the ND Public Employees Association. He retired as a Project Manager in April, 1994.

Donald truly enjoyed retirement and the flexibility it gave him to spend extra time with Sharon in their beautiful yard, complete with a fountain/grotto filled with Koi, a large vegetable garden and flower beds brimming with color. He simply could grow anything and planted numerous ferns, rose bushes and lilies at his Sharon's request. Ever the 'critter' lover, Donald's yard was a sanctuary to various local animals, including bats, racoons, ferrets, pigeons and wood ducks and was the setting for many epic battles with squirrels. Donald and Sharon loved to camp and fish together and retirement allowed them to go whenever they pleased, which was often. Donald also enjoyed hunting deer, duck, pheasant and grouse, which meant that the freezer was continuously full of white wrapped packages of wild meat. He was very handy, a builder of all things wood. His trees were filled with homemade bird houses that sheltered a wide variety of birds. He fully immersed himself in the rebuilding of his home after the 1969 flood and oversaw the second rebuild of the home in 2011. Donald will forever be remembered for his honesty, willingness to help wherever needed, his simple view of life, his blind faith in the Minnesota Vikings, his dedication to his family and never failing love for his wife.

Donald's loving family includes his children Melissa (Jeff) Bliss, Minot and Scott (Brenda Beck) McGowan, Bismarck, ND; grandchildren Sydney McGowan, Fargo, Erin Bliss and Brenna Bliss, both of Minot; sister Janett Nash, Union, SC; brothers-in-law Tim Wilhelm, Minot, ND and David (Julie) Wilhelm, Maple Grove, MN; along with a number of nieces and nephews.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sharon, in 2011; sister Barbara; brother-in-law Tommy Nash and his father and mother-in-law, Donald and Verna Wilhelm.

Service to Honor Donald McGowan: 5:30 p.m. Friday, February 5 ^th at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.  To view a livestream of the service please access https://www.mtmsales.net/thomas
Visitation: Friday February 5 ^th from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM at Thomas Family Funeral Home, 304 South Main Street, Minot, ND.

Donald McGowan Flowers