Bobby Osteen McGowan

Bobby Osteen McGowan, 98, of Franklin, Tennessee, passed away, March 29th, 2026. Born on July 5th, 1927, in Unionville, Tennessee, he graduated from Unionville High School in 1945 and immediately joined the U.S. Navy. He served aboard the U.S.S. Bunker Hill, based in Bremerton, Washington, at the end of WW2, entering Peabody College, he met the love of his life MarthaAnn Gibson (Ann) and was married on June 10th, 1951, in Bell Buckle, TN. After graduation, Bob taught at Litton High School in Nashville. They welcomed daughter, Teresa Ann to the family in 1953.

Discovering his passion for selling while working over summer breaks with sales and Service for Modern Wholesale, Bob started his “heart” career with the brand-new Xerox Corporation. Sales was his passion and he eventually started his own firm, Bob McGowan and Associates, providing sales jobs for lucky folks all over Tennessee.

Bob enjoyed sports, hunting, fishing, playing poker with his friends, and above all, storytelling!

An active member of the community, Bob served as President of the Civitan organization, and was a faithful member of Brentwood United Methodist Church, where he served as usher and greeter for more than 50 years.

Bob is survived by his daughter Teresa Ann Beard and favorite son in law, Doug, granddaughters Dianne Vallier (Barry) and Caroline Colquhoun (Burke), and great grandsons Grayson and Elliott Vallier, and his many Osteen cousins in North Carolina and California.

He will be remembered for his love of family, his abiding faith, his kindness, and his masterful storytelling. Per his request, services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.