Jerry D. Mcgowan

Jerry Dan McGowan of Victor, Montana passed away at Marcus Daly Hospice on October 27, 2016. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri on September 3, 1941 to Dan and Louise (Yocum) McGowan.


Jerry attended school in Kansas City and spent many fun filled summer days in Mountain Grove with his grandparents, Marvin and Oda Yocum and Glen and Etta McGowan. After high school graduation, Jerry attended Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1963. Jerry continued his education and earned a Master of Arts in Zoology at the University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri in 1966. During these years he taught General Zoology and worked on reestablishing ruffed grouse populations in Missouri. Jerry joined the VISTA program which took him to Alaska. In 1967 he was hired as a biologist with the Alaska Fish and Game in Fairbanks. His work focused on upland game bird and raptor projects. With his skills he found himself involved in many other Fish and Game projects including helping to develop and becoming manager of the Creamers Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge in Fairbanks. Jerry retired in 1987 and enjoyed woodworking and horseback riding. He and his dog Butch had many successful hunts together over the years.


In 1993 he and his long-time partner, Laura McManus moved to the Bitterroot Valley of western Montana. He was a member of the Bitterroot Back Country Horseman for 23 years. Music was a big part of his life and he was proficient with the guitar, piano, fiddle and mandolin. Maintaining the property, riding the valley trails, gardening and music filled his life.


Jerry is survived by his partner: Laura McManus, of Victor, Montana; his brother: Larry and partner, Bev, of Cambridge, Idaho; two aunts: Margaret Smith, of Mountain Grove, and Wanda Yocum, of Payson, Arizona; Cousins: Don Yocum, Linda (Idione) Yocum, Cindy (Smith) Thompson, Nancy (Smith) Cooper, Sheila (Redman) Dorres, and Linda (Redman) Stout.