Gary Edward Stowell, 83, of Sleepy Hollow, IL, passed away suddenly on October 15, 2021 after a difficult battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Gary was born on May 10th, 1938 to Dwight L and Ruth A (McGlenen) Stowell in the city of Findlay, Ohio.  After Gary graduated from high school in 1956, he pursued a degree in Engineering at North Central College in Naperville, IL. After receiving his Associates degree, he worked as a mainframe programmer for nearly 35 years. Gary loved what he did for a living.

On March 7th, 1964, he married Dorothy J Evetts. Gary and Dorothy went on to have three children, Gregory M Stowell, Jeffrey B Stowell, and Jamie M Afshari. Gary retired in 2000 after many years in the field. While retired, Gary had time to pursue his love of singing and entertaining. It nearly became a second career.

Gary was predeceased by his father Dwight, mother Ruth, sister Miriam, dear wife Dorothy, father and mother-in-law James and Mary Evetts, sister-in-law Marianne Stowell, brother-in-law Richard McClain, and his brother Jack earlier this year. He is survived by son Gregory (wife Julie), grandchildren Renae (husband Benjamin) Ciraulo and Michael Stowell, son Jeffrey, and daughter Jamie (husband Jahan) Afshari, sister Patricia McClain, and sister-in-law Sharon McCabe (husband Donald). He also had nieces and nephews whom he loved like his own children: Jane, Rick, Jon, Susan, Mark, Diane, Douglas, Jennifer, Eric, Rebekah, Sarah, and Andi.

He would often share his favorite verse from the Bible and would let people know that this is the verse that helped him see the beautiful grace of God:  "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Gary had a deep love for his country, dad jokes for everyone, and a crooner's voice. He liked to travel to see family and had been to nearly every state. He often served at church in his middle years doing everything from lawn mowing to driving the youth group cross country. He loved writing poetry. Often you'd find a personalized poem he wrote in a card to accompany a gift. Gary was also somewhat of a medical marvel, outliving his Pulmonary Fibrosis long past expectation.

A Celebration of Life service and luncheon will be held at Greater Grace Community Church, located at 991 Deborah Ave., Elgin, IL on Nov 20th, 2021 at 2pm. 

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/gary-stowell/obituary/

Copy