LeRoy Gowens

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

LeRoy Bruce Gowens, age 81 of Miami, passed away at 8:00 PM on Sunday, June 1, 2025 at Mercy Hospital of Joplin, MO.

LeRoy was born in Norton, KS on April 2, 1944 to the union of Aaron Virgil Gowens and Ida Hulda (Wudtke) Gowens. He graduated from Galena High School with the Class of 1962. He served in the US Air Force in the late 1960's. During his service he was stationed in the Philippines where he worked in security at the air base and also worked as a K9 Handler. Following his honorable discharge from active duty, he then served in the Air National Guard for several years.

Mr. Gowens worked in the security division at the Tulsa Air Guard base, and then in the newspaper industry, both with his father at the Galena Sentinel Times, and later at the Joplin Globe. He also worked as a truck driver for a number of different freight lines, including Milton, ATC, and TDC before his retirement in 2018. He enjoyed shooting guns, and also spending time with his grandkids. He was a member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Miami, OK.

He was united in marriage with Patricia Ann Selby on July 2, 1984 in Miami, OK. She survives.

Additional survivors include three sons, Jody Gowens (wife, Tabatha) of Joplin, MO, Jason Gowens of Tulsa, OK, Nicholas Selby (wife, Andrea) of Southwest City, MO; eight grandchildren, Aaron Gowens, Matthew Gowens, Rusty Gowens, Alyssa Gowens, Reagan Gowens, Larry Selby, Jacob Selby, and Gabriel Selby; one great-grandchild on the way; and his siblings, Lorinda Thomas, Leanna Baker (husband, Danny), and Leon Gowens (wife, Debbie).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Aaron and Ida Gowens; one son, Russell Gowens.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, June 6, 2025 at Derfelt Funeral Home of Galena. Pastor Dwight Moeller will officiate. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery of Galena.

Visitation will be held from 6-8:00 PM on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at Derfelt Funeral Home of Galena.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.