McGowan, Terry L. - 1950-2012

BATT, EHRSAM, HOGAN, MCGOWAN, POTTORFF, ROHNER, STEWARD

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/16/2024 at 13:28:32

Terry L. McGowan, 62, passed away on Wednesday, August 29, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, Iowa after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on July 13, 1950, in Alta, Iowa, the son of Delmar & Betty (Steward) McGowan. He graduated from Storm Lake High School with the Class of 1968, and then received his college education at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. Following his college graduation he served his country in the Army National Guard. He began his teaching career at the Urbandale Junior High School before taking a position at Valley High School in West Des Moines in 1979. Terry taught math, computer science and was the head girls track coach for many years. During his career he also coached basketball, softball and cross country. On June 17, 1995, Terry was united in marriage to Ann K. Ehrsam and they made their home in Urbandale. He was an avid sports fan and his favorite teams were the New York Yankees, the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Drake Bulldogs. He was a member of the Drake Bulldog Club and while actively teaching he was a member of the NEA, ISEA and WDMEA. Following retirement from teaching he worked as an usher for the Iowa Cubs.
A celebration of life will be held in Terry's honor on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at the Cottage Grove Avenue Presbyterian Church in Des Moines. A lunch and visitation will begin at 6:00 pm and a service of remembrance will follow at 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to CROSS Ministries of Cottage Grove Church or West Des Moines Community Schools Student Scholarships (formerly Dollars for Scholars.)
Terry is survived by his wife, Ann of Urbandale, two sisters, Patricia (Verlan) Batt of Stamford, NE, Peggy (Mark) Pottorff of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, mother-in-law, Marilyn Ehrsam, sisters-in-law, Patricia (Dick) Hogan & Sue (Jim) Rohner, brother-in-law, Jim (Daveane) Ehrsam of Greenfield, Iowa, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers in infancy, and his father-in-law, Robert Ehrsam. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.BrooksFuneralCare.com.
Published in Des Moines (IA) Register; Sunday, September 2, 2012, page 7B