Obituary of Larry McGowan

Larry McGowan, a life-long resident of Dawson Creek, BC, passed away suddenly at home, with family by his side on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, at the age of 72 years.

Larry’s Obituary - written by Judi

Larry made his entrance into our world on January 10, 1948 and became a lifelong resident of Dawson Creek. He had so many stories to tell - all beginning with .... I remember when ..... being a young boy with his siblings, and the kids in their neighborhood - the Fiddler boys, Dennis Sutton, and his cousin Doug Harper. Then there were the antics he and his teenage pals carried out. It might be Larry and Dennis Erickson riding their bikes all the way to the Erickson cabin at Swan Lake. Or it could be fixing up vehicles with many others: Moe Boucher, Randy Beattie, Paul Stang, Butch McTavish, and many others. Maybe he and Randy Torgrimson sort of fixing up an old boat to go fishing. Unfortunately, I can’t remember every name.

Larry and I started going steady when I was 15 and he was 17, both attending Frank Ross Jr. High School. Little did I know that through life’s ups and downs, this handsome young man would be the one for me. We were married in October of 1968. Our boys, Chad and Cody joined us in 1972 and 1974.

It was during this time that we purchased our acreage from Jim and Linda McQueen, just west of town on Reasbeck Road. This became our home for thirty-seven years. Oh, the many adventures! The boys were part of the gang that “built” Maze Mountain just farther up the creek. The neighborhood kids made “berms” to jump their dirt bikes and bridges to cross the creek. It was a noisy gathering that kept the kids busy all summer, and I do not believe that our neighbor, Lloyd Vamplew, who owned that land, ever complained. I am sure Lloyd was relieved when those kids pursued adventures way up the back road. Larry decided he wanted to build a really big dugout with an island in the middle. He was able to borrow a D6 from Finning. It became a daunting task, and he had to bring in an expert and good friend. Ross Grant came to the rescue and did a fine job. Once Larry built the bridge to that island, another bunch of grand adventures, many with tunes cranked and big bonfires. Oh, my there were so many great memories.

As time passed like it does, our boys grew up and left us to do the chores! Eventually, we moved into town and continued our journey. Larry enjoyed working in his much smaller shop and always had projects on the go. It wasn’t long until Larry quite enjoyed music of the Sweetwater Ramblers and the antics of the Potluck in the Basement Singers, and put up with us heading downstairs to work on a new tune or two. Larry could always retreat to his shop when necessary, or enjoy visiting with some of the guys when they came by. After all this time, I do believe it was a win-win situation and I appreciated his interest and patience.

Larry was a welder by trade. I believe one of his most interesting jobs was welding at the mines as they were being set up - near Tumbler Ridge. He also did amazing welding jobs for Ducks Unlimited. Larry worked many welding jobs, Finning, Borek, McCoy’s and Louisiana Pacific. In earlier years, Larry worked as a warehouseman/ driver at Scott National, Horne and Pitfield and McDonalds Consolidated. I remember that Larry approached the folks at LP, and they generously donated all the wood necessary to build a dance floor - in front of the stage at the Mile Zero Village, to accommodate our Bluegrass Festival, and many other events. Larry made great friends along the way. A co-worker from many years ago, John, now resides at Northview Assisted Living and still comes by for a visit, riding his candy apple red scooter. That is just so cool!

Larry was a hard worker, a collector of treasures to use in his shop, being a regular shopper at the local “landfills” also known as the dump. He was a fabricator and inventor, and a master of recycling before it became the thing to do. Sometimes Larry was even a bit of a rebel - just sometimes. He was a super dad to our boys and I see so much of him in Chad and Cody and our grandson, Kaiden. Maybe that is where they, as well as our Morgan, picked up the dare devil component. Larry instilled determination and grit as he shared his wealth of knowledge as a master fixer of all things. Whether the boys were learning how to fix their peddle bikes, their dirt bikes, or later their trucks, Larry lead by example, the value of fixing and using your wheels, etc., until they wore out! He believed that being frugal could prove to be an asset. Larry was always there to lend a hand, as are our boys.

When Larry and the boys built a soap box derby car, they carried on a family tradition. As a youngster in Belleville, Ontario, Larry’s dad, Don was a soap box derby champ. Larry followed suit and became top of his game here and was able to compete in Mission City. So, when our boys took first place with their car, there were 3 generations of racers that day in Kinpark. Wheels and rear ends were essential, when Larry became a stock car racer for the 2nd time in the 1980’s. Now that was exciting and a wee bit scary (for me) when Larry and his red and white car, Mr. MaGoo hit the track.

Larry was fond of babies, puppies, kittens, and music too! However, becoming grandparents to Morgan and Kaiden topped all the charts. We were fortunate to have them live so close; just few miles away in Pouce Coupe. Papa set up a playhouse with a big long ramp, yikes! Somehow the good fairy resided there. Even though she couldn’t be seen, she always left treats and sometimes lovely little notes for those grand babies. There were times when she really had to scramble. Being able be part of their lives and see them grow to become wonderful young adults, has been the best gift ever.

Larry was an artist:  Alternate Art by Larry McGowan! He created “critters” out of ball bearings, wire and you name it. They were only a few inches high but were intricate beyond belief. Larry created his Mom playing her piano, musicians, career folks, those who loved sports, he and Dave sitting by the fire after a successful hunting trip, my Kiwanis Kids choir and so much more. There were endless ideas. Those critters found themselves living in many homes, as far away as Japan and Tasmania. For many years, Larry also created silhouettes. This led to many commissioned works. His silhouettes can be seen on lampposts in our downtown core, and also Fort St. James, B.C., as well as countless other locations. Larry’s barn board birdhouses were another work of art. They were one of a kind, with lively embellishments left over from those treasure trips to the dump. Each one sported a penny, a Mile Zero pin, and maybe a ladybug!

Larry left us suddenly on February 12, 2020. He is fondly remembered Judi, Cody, Chad (Tammy), our grandchildren Morgan (Jon) and Kaiden (Janelle) and our precious great grandson, West Larry McGowan, who joined the crew in June of 2021. Also, siblings Julie (Ray), Bill (Crystal), Barb, Candace (Brian), and Don (Val), Aunt Ruth and Uncle Ed Byskal, siblings in law, Marg, Roy (Lydia), Betty (Rick), Brenda (Andy) and many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Larry’s leaving us enabled him to reunite with those who went on ahead: his Mom and Dad (Dorothy and Don), baby sister Kathryn, in-laws, Margaret and Dave, as well as many others.

Throughout the years, Larry was dealt many difficult health issues. He tackled each one with quiet determination. He was our world, our rock and our hero. We miss him terribly but he left us with wonderful memories, and we will keep him tucked away in our hearts forever.

Take good care of each other, and we hope you smile when you think of Larry.

For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Larry to the BC SPCA South Peace Branch, 11418 3^rd Street, Dawson Creek, BC, V1G 4L5

Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium