Michael S. Gower

Rev. Michael "Mike" S. Gower, 75, passed away peacefully at home in Redding, California on December 29, 2010. He was born to Michael and Velma Gower on March 22, 1935 in Live Oak, California. He grew up with two brothers Mark and John. Michael was in the first graduating class at Sequoia Middle School. He attended Shasta High and was active in boxing and football. He played on the first championship football team at Shasta College.

At the age of 22 he decided to become a minister. Michael moved to Portland Oregon to attend Multnomah Bible University. This is where he met the love of his life, Caroline Liknes. They started dating in 1957 and in 1959 the two were married. In 1961 he graduated from Multnomah with a bible diploma. Next he attended Cascade College and earned a Bachelor's in History. At the age of 52, Michael went back to Multnomah Bible University and earned his Master of Sacred Ministries. He had a long successful career as a minister before retiring from Simpson University as the Associate Dean of Students. Mike served as an Elder at Risen King Community Church.

Early in their marriage, Mike and Caroline brought two young men, Dan and Roger (17 and 15 years old), into their home and raised them as their own. Shortly after that Caroline gave birth to Jeffrey and then to their youngest son, Steven. Mike always put others first but somehow managed to find free time to go fishing, read a good book or work on carvings.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years Caroline Gower; sons Dan Davis and his wife Carol, Roger Davis and his wife Margie, Jeffrey Gower and his wife Janice, Steven Gower and his wife Aurora; brothers Mark Gower and his wife Sandra, John Gower and his wife Sherri; 16 grandchildren and 5 1/2 great grandchildren.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents Michael and Velma Gower.

A celebration of life will be held in his honor on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 2p.m. at Simpson University. Arrangements are in the care of Lawncrest Chapel (530-222-1587) and Risen King Community Church (530-244-2300). In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Gower Scholarship Fund at Simpson University.