Obituary of John E McGowan

John Emerson McGowan Son, Brother, Boy Scout, Veteran, Father, Uncle, Teacher, Actor, Traveler, Friend      John Emerson (Couplin) McGowan departed this life on November 18, 2020. John was affectionately known as “Butch”, “Emerson” or “Uncle John” to friends and family. He was born on December 28, 1947 to the late John D. McGowan and Samantha Couplin in Atlantic City, NJ.  John was educated in the Atlantic City school system. Growing up, John was a dedicated member of the Boy Scouts of America. He was an Eagle Scout and earned the esteemed “Order of the Arrow” Honor from the Boy Scouts of America’s Gitche Gumee lodge of NJ. The Order of the Arrow (OA) is the National Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America, composed of Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives as elected by their peers.   After graduating from Atlantic City high school he joined the United States Navy from 1965 to 1971. He served in the Vietnam War while in the Navy. John attended the State University of New York (SUNY) New Paltz where he received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Anthropology in 1983. He earned a Master’s of Science degree in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1996. Throughout his life, John tried various career paths. He was a professor at Camden County College and Rowan University. He was a corporate Trainer and even obtained a license in Cosmetology. Although, he tried and succeed at different careers his passion was being an Actor. John was an active SAG/AFTRA Artist and former Philadelphia SAG (Screen Actors Guild)/AFTRA Board member. He had roles in numerous commercials, movies, theater productions and print advertisements.  John was a man of many hats and always had time for them all. As a lover of photography, he took pictures and short video clips, a collection of history. His solitude was found on the beach and boardwalk, a place where he could just be John with a snack and sun glasses, he was in his glory. You could always find some classical music being played any where he went, except for the trips out of town when rock and roll got him there and home.  He enjoyed selling his collectibles on online stores such as Etsy and Ebay. He loved exploring flea markets and Goodwill to find treasures for his business, it was his quest. He enjoyed finding an unwrapped toy or trinket to add to his collection and give it a new home.  John was loved my many and will be missed by all, his jokes and stories, always had a great ending and delighted us all. He tried to keep his private life as private as possible, and shared only with a certain few, that which he shared was with those he held close to his heart.  John will be forever in our hearts, always in our minds and in every tomorrow we have.     John is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Victor Winters. He leaves to cherish his fondest memories/survived by: daughter Amber Townsel-McGowan; grandson, Henry A Dean, IV; Sister Patricia Couplin and host of nieces, nephews and friends.