Danny Keith McGowan

Danny was born on December 23rd, 1953, in Seminole, OK, the son of J.T. and Inez (Cookson) McGowan. He grew up with two brothers and one sister, Sharon, Tommy and Ronnie. The family lived in Seminole, Eufaula, Miami, and Wyandott. He graduated high school at Wyandott High School in 1972, then began his studies at Northeastern State University to obtain his Social Workers Degree. Danny lived in Tahlequah during his time in college and decided to stay. Upon graduation from college, Danny began his working career at the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a Social Worker in various locations in Oklahoma until he retired in 2008. After a year in retirement, in 2009, he began a new career at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Muskogee as a Veterans Claims Examiner. Danny worked at the VA until he retired in August 2018. During his time at the VA he met Connie. Danny and Connie were married on June 24th, 2022. Danny was a gifted artisan and made beautiful leather work, bead work, drawings and sketches in various mediums, and portraits. He crafted the most intricate jewelry in turquoise and silver. Danny also refurbished classic cars. His favorite car currently in progress is a 1937 Chevy Coupe. He enjoyed spending his time at classic and antique auto shows. Danny was so very proud of his Cherokee Heritage and honored his ancestors with his art. Whenever he had some down time, he loved watching football, especially the Oklahoma Sooners. He loved animals and never turned a stray away from his door. Danny in his youth spent many hours fishing and driving the roads looking for old cars to buy. Since Danny has been married he was still getting used to his new titles of being a Husband, Son n Law, Dad and Grandpa. Danny had so many future plans he lived each day like he was going to live forever. Danny had a wonderful sense of humor and could make anyone laugh and feel at ease in his presence. He was kind, loving, and enjoyed just being at home working in his shop. For all the plans he had for the future, Danny was called to his eternal rest on April 2nd, 2024, in Tulsa, OK, surrounded by his family.

Danny is preceded in death by his grandparents, George and Adna (Pettit) Cookson, and Bud and Pansy (Day) McGowan. He joins his mother and father Inez and JT McGowan, and his brother, Tommy McGowan.

Those left to cherish his memory include his adored wife, Connie of the home, their children, Janie Duncan of Wainwright, OK, Jarrett Duncan and wife Violet of Muskogee, OK, and Jason Duncan of Owasso, OK. He leaves behind one sister and one brother, Sharon Derrico and husband Louie of Duncanville, TX, and Ronnie McGowan of Eufaula, OK, grandchildren, Jacob Duncan of Wainwright, OK, Olivia Duncan of Muskogee, OK, Jaylee Duncan of Wainwright, OK, and Hannah Duncan of Muskogee, OK, nieces and nephews, Terra Cotton and husband Ryan of Evergreen, CO, Melissa Edmondson and husband Ryan of Miami, OK, Ronnie McGowan Jr of Eufaula, OK, Tonya McNeely and husband Dewayne of Eufaula, OK, Danny’s dear cousin, Brenda “Cubby” Jones of Tahlequah, OK, as well as many other cousins and a host of friends.

Funeral services for Danny Keith McGowan will be held on Friday, April 5th, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Reed-Culver Funeral Chapel with Stanley Staton officiating. He will be laid to rest next to his mother, Inez Cookson-McGowan at Levi Cookson Cemetery in Park Hill, OK. A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 4th, 2024 from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM at Reed-Culver Chapel.

Pallbearers include Jarrett Duncan, Jason Duncan, Jacob Duncan, Eldon Staton, Leon Staton and Clint Johnson. Honorary pallbearers include Terra Cotton, Ryan Cotton, Gavin Cotton and Teyah Cotton.