Our family is heartbroken to share the sudden passing of my father, John James McGowan, due to a medical emergency.
My dad was everything to me—my best friend, my voice of reason, and the one person in this world who truly knew and understood me. I could go to him with anything, and he would always listen without judgment, offering love, guidance, and comfort. Losing him has left a void in my life that I know can never be filled.
He loved me, my brothers, and his grandson—my son—with his whole heart. My dad stood by me during the hardest moments of my life, including the loss of my firstborn son Marlowe. He never left my side, and a year later, when I gave birth to my son Isaiah, he was right there in the delivery room beside me. That’s the kind of man he was—always present, loving, and deeply devoted to his family.
Although my brothers and I didn’t have him throughout our childhood due to mistakes he made when he was younger, my dad spent 18 years in prison and came home determined to rebuild his life. When he returned around my 18th birthday, it was one of the happiest moments of my life. From that point on, he did everything in his power to prove that he was here to stay—and he did.
He worked tirelessly to turn his life around, staying positive despite the challenges he faced. He helped anyone who needed it—whether fixing cars, working on homes, or building things from the ground up for friends and family who couldn’t afford it. My dad had a gift for making things better, not just with his hands, but with his heart. He was always just a phone call away for anyone who needed advice, a listening ear, or a shoulder to cry on.
To me, he was the kind of dad every daughter dreams of. He could fix anything I brought to him or turn my ideas into reality. He made me feel safe, understood, and loved in a way only he could.
Losing him so suddenly feels unbearable. I thought we would have so much more time together, especially after everything we went through to finally have him in our lives. The hardest part is knowing I’ll never hear his voice again, feel his hugs, or see him with my son—reading him books, watching cartoons, or building Lego sets together.
There are so many moments I’ll never get to have, like him walking me down the aisle or sharing a father-daughter dance. Those are things I will carry in my heart forever, even though I’ll never experience them.
We are asking for help during this incredibly difficult time to cover funeral expenses and to give my dad the farewell he deserves. Any donation, no matter how small, would mean the world to our family. If you’re unable to give, sharing this page would help more than you know.
Thank you for your love, support, and prayers.
I love you so much, Daddy. Nothing will ever be the same without you.
— Crystal McGowan & Family
