AREA SATELLITE MANUFACTURER, GOWEN, 56, DIES

DONIPHAN, Mo. -- James W. "Jamie" Gowen, 56, of Doniphan, who once owned a satellite manufacturing business that did a global business, died Saturday.

Gowen suffered from multiple systems apnea, a rare form of Parkinson's disease.

His friends called him "an unusual person" and "a mechanical genius."

Longtime friend Dr. James Parks of Poplar Bluff, Mo., called Gowen "a super individual."

In 1979, Gowen opened Antenna Development and Manufacturing Inc., which produced one of the finest antennas in the field.

He was named Man of the Year by that industry in 1983. He operated the business until 1994.

Pat Bailey, who worked for Gowen, described his business as worldwide.

One of his customers was science-fiction author Arthur C. Clarke, who also developed the orbits for satellites, Bailey said.

His list of customers also included a prince in Saudi Arabia and the U.S. government, which purchased satellite equipment for the embassies in South America.

Parks said Gowen left the Poplar Bluff area for awhile during his younger years to work. When he returned, he made gas tanks for Reinell Boats and was a partner in the Duckett & Gowen Ornamental Iron Inc.

Gowen was the first recipient of the Butler County Mental Health Association Angel award in the 1970s.

Mr. Gowen was born on Oct. 26, 1943, in Poplar Bluff and was of the Baptist faith.

On March 31, 1995, he married Rebecca Lynn Blackwell in Las Vegas, Nev. She survives.

Also surviving are four children, Steven Wayne Gowen, Staci Lynn Gowen, Lori Ann Gowen, and Jason Ray Stone, all of Doniphan; three brothers, Raymond R. Gowen, Bobby G. Gowen, and Lee-Roy Gowen all of Poplar Bluff; one sister, Ruth Ann McFarlin of Doniphan; and three grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 3 p.m. today at the Cotrell Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. David Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Dunning Cemetery.