Howerton Gowen, Jr.

Howerton “Tony” Gowen, Jr., 85, passed away on July 6, 2026, in Lynchburg, Virginia. He was born on May 17, 1941, in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, to Howerton “Hoot” Gowen and Priscilla Mullen Gowen. A 1964 graduate of North Carolina State University and a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Tony met and quickly fell in love with Patricia Silliman of Los Angeles, California, and the two were married on August 19, 1967, at Virginia Episcopal Seminary in Alexandria.

Tony began his professional career with Gowen Chemical Company in Roanoke Rapids. Over the course of a four-decade focus on industrial sales, his work took him and his family to Birmingham, Memphis, Greensboro, Chicago, and Lynchburg. He held positions with large multinational corporations, including Union Carbide, Sunox Corp., and Eutectic Corporation.

Tony had a lifelong love of all things mechanical and found endless enjoyment in repair projects of every kind. Pickup trucks, wooden sailboats, and ski boats were among his specialties. His first sailing dinghy, the Heather Jane, named for his daughter, continues to mark four decades of service at Cliff Haven, the family’s vacation home on Fallen Leaf Lake in California. His love of the water also drew him to cottages on the Outer Banks at Emerald Isle and on Smith Mountain Lake. Tony’s workshops were lively gathering places, where friends could bring bicycles, cars, canoes, and boats for repairs, always free of charge. Around town, he became affectionately known as the “Cap’n.”

Tony and Patricia shared a deep love of travel and the outdoors. Together, they enjoyed memorable trips to Europe, Panama, and Cuba, as well as hiking adventures with friends in Yosemite, Big Sur, Monterey, and Carmel. Tony first caught “the sailing bug” on their honeymoon in Bermuda, and over the years their ports of call included Lake Michigan, the Caribbean, the coast of Maine, Honolulu, Chesapeake Bay, and the San Juan Islands.

Tony was also a devoted and engaged member of his community. At St. John’s Episcopal Church, he served faithfully as a volunteer and leader, including as a Eucharistic Minister, Vestry member, and Junior Warden. He also taught Sunday School and served on the Day School board. In addition, he coached youth soccer teams and was active with the Smith Mountain chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, Robert Mullen Gowen. He is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia; his sister, Priscilla Gowen Graybeal; his sons, John Gowen and his wife, Susan Tolleson, and Christopher Gowen and his wife, Bartlett Lincoln; and his daughter, Heather Sapp, and her husband, Jason Sapp. His greatest pride were his “Super Seven” grandchildren: Jack, Wilson, and Luke Gowen; Jordan and Calvin Sapp; and Evelyn and Jane Gowen.

A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church on August 7, 2026 at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Antique and Classic Boat Society (PO Box 332, Moneta, VA 24121), St. John’s Day School or UVA Emily Couric Cancer Center (1240 Lee St, Charlottesville, VA 22908).

Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg is assisting the family.