Marcus Allen McGowan

November 26,1943 - January13, 2021

After a long illness of diabetes, a stroke, and heart problems, Marcus Allen McGowan, age 77, was called home by his Lord and Savior on Wednesday morning, January 13, 2021 with a heart attack. During his teens and early 20's, he was searching for fulfillment. Life changed for him when at the age of 26 he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, which helped him find purpose, direction, and passion. Shortly after that he met Carolyn who was the love of his life for 51 years.

Marcus had several careers and he loved them all.  His life embodied Ecclesiastes 9:10,  "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might."  He was a Florida State Trooper for seven years.  As a Real Estate Broker his offices were located in Clermont and Mascotte.  Later, he became a Hearing Aid Provider with offices in Palatka, Belleview, and Clermont, Florida.  As a Hearing Aid Provider, he loved providing the gift of hearing to those who suffered from hearing loss.  He strived to find the best hearing aid for each client at the most reasonable price. When he was asked by Claud and Freeda Bowers of SuperChannel 55 Christian Television to come and help them transition from the Leesburg location to the Orlando location, he gladly closed his hearing aid office in Belleview.  As Sales Manager of the commercial accounts, he strove to be ethical and trustworthy. His other responsibilities included assistance where there was a need. He enjoyed representing the station at numerous events.

Marcus served on the Deacon Board that chartered the Clermont First Assembly of God, which was renamed Gateway Church. He also served as a Sunday School Teacher and Royal Ranger Commander.  In addition, he helped find the property that allowed the Church to relocate to its current location.

Marcus was a model husband to his wife Carolyn, a teacher at Clermont Elementary for 35 years.  His love, support and encouragement for her to be "The Best that She Could Be!" enabled her to reach her personal and professional goals. Whenever she was nominated for awards or applied for grants, he would type her applications and take photos at the award ceremonies.  He volunteered in her classroom taking pictures of the students and their parents.  On numerous occasions, Marcus was a speaker on various topics.   He loved going clothes and hat shopping with Carolyn and would pick out clothes for her to try on and purchase.

Although Marcus and Carolyn did not have children of their own, he enjoyed spending time with his nephews and nieces, watching them play sports, going to theme parks, boating, fishing, hunting and swimming.  He encouraged them to find and follow their passions so they could be all they could be for the Lord.

Through his illnesses, he taught us how to suffer with grace, patience, humility and gratefulness.  He never expressed bitterness or "Why  Me?"  He was nicknamed "the Energizer Bunny".   Marcus just kept going, overcoming Bell's Palsy in 1995;  a heart procedure that failed in 2002; a broken right ankle in 2008;  a pons stroke in 2012; a broken left ankle in 2013; many urinary track infections;  pneumonia in 2015; a small heart attack in 2015 and an infection in his big toe and heel that normally would require amputation in 2017.  Marcus and his wife, Carolyn, prayed, believed and stood on the scripture,  "I shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord!" (Psalms 118:17)

Marcus is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn; his brother, John McGowan and wife, Paula; sister-in-law, Kay Sedgwick and husband, Mike; sister-in-law, Scarlett Danford.

His surviving Nephews are Paul McGowan (Scarlett); Randy McGowan (Barbara); Jamie Danford (Leah); and Jeremy Sedgwick and one great nephew, Dalton McGowan.

His surviving nieces are Rachel Danford; Kayla Sedgwick; and Louisa Kimble (Ronald).  Surviving great-nieces are Maclayne and Collyns McGowan and Scarlett-Diana Perrine.

He was predeceased by his parents, Otis and Hazel McGowan; brothers, Otis McGowan, Jr. and James McGowan; brother-in-law, Mark Danford and nephew, John McGowan Jr. and wife Shannon.

A Graveside Service was held January 20, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Clermont.  A Celebration of Life will be held at Gateway Church (15550 County Road 565A) in Clermont, on Saturday, February 20, 2021, at 11:00 a.m.