Patrick “Pat” William McGowan

Patrick “Pat” William McGowan, 49, of Worth Township passed away suddenly Friday from natural causes.

He was born on Oct. 24, 1966, at the Grove City Medical Center in Pine Township, Mercer County, to William Patrick McGowan and Clara Catherine Vogel McGowan.

Pat graduated in 1985 from Slippery Rock High School.

He served in the U.S. Army and studied auto mechanics at the New Castle School of Trades.

Like his father, he drove a truck most of his life. Pat enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and riding his Harley-Davidson.

He loved helping his mom and loved his family. His favorite activity was spending time with his grandchildren and watching Devin on his go-cart.

Pat was a member of the West Liberty United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir. He was a member of the NRA, was a certified pyrotechnician and enjoyed performing local firework events such as at the Big Butler Fair.

Pat was “Bigger than Life.”

“He had a big heart, and was willing to help anyone he knew.”

Survivors include his mother, Clara “Cissy” McGowan of Slippery Rock; four sisters, Karen A. Hoover of Huntingdon, Pa., Linda J. Young and her husband Gerald A. “Jerry” of Pooler, Ga., Rebecca A. “Becky” McGowan Allison of Slippery Rock and Pamela S. Geist and her husband George H. of Saxonburg; a brother-in-law, William E. “Bill” Buchanan of Slippery Rock; a stepdaughter, Brandi Lohnes of Florida; grandchildren, Devin McGowan of Slippery Rock and Nevaeh Lohnes of New York; and 12 nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father; sister, Doris E. Buchanan; and infant brother, Gregory Paul McGowan.

MCGOWAN — Funeral services for Patrick “Pat” William McGowan, who died Friday, June 10, 2016, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Smith Funeral Home, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock, with the Rev. Nelson Thayer, pastor of the West Liberty United Methodist Church, presiding.His family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m. Thursday. Following the service, family and friends will travel in procession to West Liberty Cemetery for a service of committal.Memorial contributions may be given to the West Liberty United Methodist Church.