He is predeceased by his beloved wife of 18 years Shelly Elizabeth Charles and his parents Allen Clair Gowdy and Ruby Lee Evans Gowdy.
Phillip is survived by his sisters Charlene Faye Gowdy and Tina Gowdy Peavy and his brother William David (Bill) Gowdy. His nieces and nephews, Katherine Peavy, David Peavy and David Gowdy, Trevor Gowdy and Shelby Gowdy Jones. Great nieces and nephews, Johnny Peavy, Oliver Peavy, Mason Peavy, Jackson Peavy, Madelyn Gowdy, Ruby Gowdy, Abigail Gowdy and Wrenley Jones.
Phil’s early years were spent in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta. He was baptized at Second Ponce de Leon Baptist church where his family worshipped. Later in life he joined Peachtree Presbyterian Church and helped start a satellite church in Alpharetta. He was kind, sweet, generous and brave. Everyone enjoyed his sharing of stories, books and relics of all kinds.
The family made frequent trips to Roswell, Georgia, to visit Phil’s maternal grandparents, William Leslie Evans and Tina Burlison Evans, who influenced his entire life. This was the beginning of his love of military history. His free time was spent researching history and collecting historic artifacts.
He attended E. Rivers School, Northside High School, and the Georgia Institute of Technology.
After high school he joined the Army serving in the 1st Battalion, 504th Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division. Returning home from the Army, Phil earned an IM degree from Tech and worked in St. Louis, Missouri, as Plant Manager for Winchester division of Olin. The last 30 years he was employed at Lockheed Martin, Marietta, Georgia.
Phillip Gowdy will be interred at Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
A celebration of Phil’s life will be held on Saturday, 28 March 2026 at 11 am. H. M. Patterson & Son, Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Road, NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. Phone 404-851-9900.
He was loved and admired by family and friends and will be missed every day.
