Dr John W Gowens II

Dr. Gowens, age 75, formerly of Ellicott City, MD, peacefully passed away on April 21, 2016.

After graduating from Amarillo High School in 1958, Dr. Gowens attended the United States Naval Academy. Dr. Gowens graduated from the Naval Academy in 1963 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and stationed overseas, where he served until 1968. Once he returned stateside, he continued his education, earning an MBA and later a Ph.D. While pursuing his doctorate at Arizona State University, Dr. Gowens worked as an aerospace engineer for Air Research Mfg., Co. in Phoenix, Arizona. After receiving his Ph.D. in mathematics, Dr. Gowens was a professor at The University of Northern Iowa, The University of Texas at San Antonio and a faculty member at Georgia Institute of Technology. In 1989, Dr. Gowens became Chief of Computer and Communications Science Division of Army Research Laboratory in Washington D.C. where he worked at the Pentagon as a civilian. During a career with the ARL that spanned over twenty years, he was able to pursue his passions for Artificial Intelligence and analytical problem solving. His expertise in this field helped him to lead a team of advanced research scientists developing technology to support American soldiers in combat. Dr. Gowens’ leadership and dedication brought forth many technological advances that are still in use by soldiers in the modern U.S. military. In 2010, Dr. Gowens retired from the ARL as Director of Computational and Information Sciences.

Dr. Gowens was preceded in death by his wife, MaryAnn Gowens. He is survived by: his son Christopher K. Gowens; his son Lance W. Gowens, his daughter-in-law Traci M. Gowens and their six children Caitlyn S. Webb, Tomas A. Gowens, Ryan C. Webb, Riley G. Webb, Matias D. Gowens and A. Michelle Gowens; his son Colin W. Gowens, his daughter-in-law Lacey P. Gowens and their two daughters Ivey E. Gowens and Sierra J. Gowens; by the mother of his sons Margaret A. Gowens; by his brother Bobby L. Gowens, his sister-in-law Cheryl A. Gowens and their two sons Bret M. Gowens and Timothy B. Gowens; and by his many brothers from the USNA Class of 1963.

Dr. Gowens will be laid to rest following a graveside service at the Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Veterans Cemetery Rd, Canton, GA30114 on Friday, April 29, 2016 at 12:00pm. The family will receive friends from 7-9pm on Thursday, April 28, 2016 at Woodstock Funeral Home, 8855 Main St., Woodstock, GA 30188.