Ronald Eugene Gowens

Ronald Eugene Gowens (“Gomer”), 83, passed away April 22, 2026. Ron was the youngest of 5 children and was born in Meade, Kansas. He was raised into his teenage years on a farm in Liberal, Kansas before he and his family moved to Phoenix. Ron attended Central High School, then moved on to Phoenix College. It was at Phoenix College where he met, as he said, the love of his life, JoAnn. They wed in 1963 and were married for 52 years before JoAnn’s passing in early 2016. Ron had worked nearly his entire career with Motorola before moving on to a consulting position with Avnet prior to his retirement. Ron loved playing handball and golf and had a rich social life, blessed with countless friends, old and new. It has been said that Ron “never met a stranger.” Always friendly and ready with some sort of goofy colloquialism that added to his quick wit, all of which will be dearly missed. Happiness to him was playing the sports he loved, spending time with friends and family, and offering up praises and advice to his grandsons. Ron is preceded in death by his wife, JoAnn, and his older brother, Robert Gowens. He is survived by his three sisters Marilyn Larson, Joyce Adams, and Pat Westwood; his son Brent Gowens and his wife Georgia; his daughter Heather Hartshorn and her husband Tom; his five grandsons, and three great-grandchildren. A service to celebrate Ron’s life will be held at Christ’s Church of the Valley, 19030 N. Pima Road, Saturday, June 6 at 10am.