John “Johnny” Russell Gower
April 20, 1949 ~ August 9, 2017
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ROCKY MOUNT - John "Johnny" Russell Gower, age 68, passed away on Wednesday, August 9, 2017. Born in Nash County, NC on April 20, 1949, he was the son of the late Russell Leo Gower and Dorothy Smith.
Johnny graduated from UNC at Chapel Hill with a major in Math/English and a minor in Chemistry/Religion. He loved Carolina Football and reading books. Johnny will be dearly missed by all those who knew him.
Johnny leaves behind to cherish his memory, brother, Paul Edward Gower of Warrington; sisters, Patricia "Anne" Haviland of Concord; and Sally Jean Birk and husband, Gary Martin of Wake Forest. He is also survived by his niece, Amelia Rachel Haviland.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
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Johnny and I were in a high school band together, The Sensations and what great fun we had. I have many fond memories of Johnny and send my sincere sympathies to all of you family and friends.
Dear Johnny, life will not be the same without you… I will miss you and will cherish the memories of our time spent together on Saturdays working in the yard… I had always hoped that we could put you back together again, but it just wasn’t meant to be this time around…. please show me a sign that you are still by my side… and if not, you will always live in my heart! With all the love in the world, your sister, Sal…
Sally-No brother could have asked for a better Sister!! Your devotion and love was apparent in everything you did for him. I know that because of you, he was able to live his last years with dignity and knowing how loved he was. I know you miss him terribly and will have to find a new normal for you. I am here for you my friend. Love you! Vann
Lit a candle in memory of John Johnny Russell Gower
Lit a candle in memory of John Johnny Russell Gower
Lit a candle in memory of John Johnny Russell Gower
My sweet friend, I love you and Gary with all my heart. I KNOW you dedicated your life to watching over your brother, whom you adored. I am so sorry for your loss. May God bring you peace knowing that Johnny knew his sister loved him and was there for him at all hours of his need. Godspeed to Johnny on his journey to peace, comfort and eternal health. Love you, my friend. – Connie
Johnny and I were good friends in high school. I remember his wonderful. sense of humor and his brilliance in his studies. I looked to him as an example to follow acedemically and to mimic his gentle personality. We parted ways when we left high school but I’ll not forget the positive influence he had on my life. Till we meet again in Heaven my friend. Johnny Evans
Sally, I want to send my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. May your brother Rest In Peace.
Anne, Paul & Sally, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I will miss visiting with him when in RM. We had many laughs over the history of our families times together. Rest In Peace Johnny.
Johnny was a sweet and brilliant young man – a real Southern gentleman. He was my date for our Jr. Prom and we had a great time. We shared most of our classes at RMSHS and then went of to college together to Carolina with about 13 other classmates of the Class of ’67. I spoke with him several times this past Spring prior to our 50-year class reunion and Johnny really wanted to come. He said he’d have to wait until the actual day to see if his health would allow him to come. I hate SO much that he wasn’t able to be there! Rest your tired body in the warm embrace of our Lord, Johnny. Your journey is finished. Rest in peace, my friend.
Enjoyed spending time with Johnny outside under the carport and playing basketball in the backyard.
Chuck Manning and Hope White Manning will always remember Johnny Gower. We send our love and prayers to the Gower Family…
Growing up on Briarcliff Road with Johnny and all the kids was the most blessed childhood you could have. He was definitely the smartest. Met up with Johnny when he came back home from Asheboro as we dealt with dialysis three days each week. Reminiscing about those good old days. Your witty and gentle spirit will surely be missed. Al Kea
I feel truly blessed to have had Johnny as a friend. He had one of the kindest spirits of anyone I know. Our prayers go out to his family. – Tony Bossolono
Johnny will be remembered for his quiet but friendly personality. His smile was always welcoming. Prayers for his family at this sad time. Ann Taylor Wrenn
Such sad news. Johnny Gower was a truly great guy from a wonderful family. Mr. and Mrs. Gower (can hear her British accent as I type) were terrific people, rearing four delightful children . . . Anne, Paul, Sally and, of course, friend Johnny. Always quick-witted, Johnny was even quicker with his studies. . . .bright, bright student. He played such a positive role in my teenage years; I am in his debt. And, if he didn’t before, he now knows. All of whom Johnny befriended are surely better for it. My thoughts and prayers are with the Gower family. Frank Bradley
Lit a candle in memory of John Johnny Russell Gower
Lit a candle in memory of John Johnny Russell Gower
I can remember when we were in our teens at First Christian Church and we had a church picnic and cookout. Johnny and I competed to see who could eat the most hotdogs. Can’t recollect who won but I felt miserable afterwards and I pretty sure he did also…. A friend, Tony Dennis.
Lit a candle in memory of John Johnny Russell Gower
Lit a candle in memory of John Johnny Russell Gower
Johnny, I am truly going to miss you. It saddens me that your best years were while at UNC. However, over the years we managed to stay in touch. We talked on the phone many times discussing Carolina football and basketball. We even managed to visit the Dean Dome for Late Night with Roy and a baseball game. Sure was nice to be back on the Hill with you. I’ll never forget you, my dear friend.
Thank you Howard… Johnny and I enjoyed your visits … and remember I am still there on the Saturdays working in the yard, so don’t be a stranger! And I know Pat and Betty would like to spend some time with you as well ) Always, Sally
Dear Al and Sandra…. thank you for the kind tribute to Johnny and for your visit last week! Sorry that Johnny won’t be able to be with us at the upcoming neighborhood reunion…. He knew you were working on it before he passed… perhaps he will join us in spirit…. God bless you both for caring… Sally
Thank you Johnny, I do remember your name…. appreciate the nice tribute to a friend…. God Bless, Sally
Hi Lynell, thank you for your tribute to Johnny… I was there one of the days you called John to invite him to the last Reunion… I had just brought him home from a day surgery, and he was still a little sedated…. he was a happy camper to hear from you and had no inhibitions for coming outdoors with you on the phone to tell me it was you ) He had a big smile on his face! I hate he missed the reunion, but this past year he was declining pretty badly and he had so little strength and mobility… he wouldn’t have wanted anyone to see him that way… he wanted to be remembered from his high school and college days (YEA, CAROLINA) earlier days. Take care and God Bless you always… thank you again… Sally
Dear Frank, thank you so much for your tribute to Johnny and our family! You will always have a big place in our hearts as well… Love, Sally
AJ, thank you so much for your words… You were such a great friend to Johnny when he came home to Rocky Mount and we thank you for your support and friendship… thank you for your visit to Hunter Hill Rehab (on your Birthday!!) to spend time with Johnny during his last week on earth… the next day he told me how happy he was to see you and have you there… he was a man of few words and he loved you as a friend. I will never forget how wonderful you were to him, even when he pushed you away and that was because he wasn’t feeling well… you were very supportive to me when no one else in my family was there. Thank you for a life time and please keep in touch! Love you BRO, Sally