Paul Harris Gowen

Born at home, 315 Mission Street, San Antonio, Texas along with his womb mate, Joy, Nov. 18, 1925, and has gone to meet his Lord October 9, 2023. Paul is preceded in death by his parents, James Franklin and Ola Leigh Swayze; and siblings, Elizabeth (Sista) Cole, James Jr., Mary Kathryn (Kat) Shaw, Margie Adair Eisenberg, Joy Mildred Perry, Sarah Charlene (Bebe) Jaeckle; and the love of his life (56 plus years), Claudia Sykes Watson. He is survived by his son, William (Bill) and wife, Julie Todt; most loved grandson, William Paul and wife, Jing Zhang; and Sharon Elizabeth Smith Wolf, the final love of his life.

Paul finished schooling from Bonham Elementary School, Page Junior High, Brackenridge High School, and graduated from Trinity University, class of 1950. Paul, at seventeen years of age, joined the US Navy and became a “Plank Owner” of the Destroyer USS Zellars DD 777 and survived a Kamikaze attack in the waters off Okinawa, April 12, 1945.

He was a life member of Harlandale Masonic Lodge 1213, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, Noble of The Mystic Shrine, The Veterans of Foreign Wars and the San Antonio Livestock Exposition. Former member of the San Antonio Musicians Local. Through his many years of making music with several quintets and local country bands and was inducted into The Bandera Music Hall of Fame. He was a member of Alamo Methodist Choir, played two masses at St. Anthony Catholic Church eight years and was a member of Alamo Heights Presbyterian Choir until his death, and sang with Friends in Harmony, a barbershop style all-male a capella Chorus. Paul spent his entire working years in the construction industry and retired as Vice President of Luby’s Cafeterias the last twenty-two years of working. There will be a private entombment, followed by a memorial service at Alamo Heights Presbyterian Church, 6201 Broadway, Alamo Heights, Texas 78209-4562. Please, open collar, casual attire with something red. No flowers: if you wish, a donation to your favorite charity.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough Ave.

GRAVESIDEWEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 202310:00 AMSUNSET MEMORIAL PARK MAUSOLEUM1701 AUSTIN HWY

MEMORIAL SERVICEWEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 202311:30 A.M.ALAMO HEIGHTS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH6201 BROADWAY

Pastor Richard Knott to officiate the service. The family welcomes everyone to a reception at Alamo Heights Presbyterian Church following the memorial service.