Funeral services for Joe Ray Gowan, age 68 of Grand Junction, TN, will be held at 2pm Friday, August 12, 2016 at the Bodkin Funeral Home with burial to follow in the Hopewell Cemetery in Lavinia. Visitation with the family will be Thursday evening from 5pm until 8pm and Friday from 1pm until 2pm service time at the funeral home. Joe Ray Gowan was born November 25, 1947 and passed away on August 9, 2016 at 1:30pm. He was preceded in death by his father Jodie L. Gowan. He is survived by his mother Louise Gowan, his wife Frances Gowan, his three sisters Linda (Sam) Inman, Alice Kay (James) Jackson, Nancy (Ricky) Blankenship, His children Kerry (Richard) Landers, Joey Gowan, Cameron Gowan. He had three step-daughters: Jennifer (John) Weeks, Angela Jacobs, Rebecca (Troy) Miller. He had two step-grandchildren: Jacob Miller and Luke Miller. He was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church in Lavinia, TN. Joe Ray was born and raised on Gowan Lane in Atwood, TN. He grew up on a farm, apprenticed with his father as a well-driller, worked as a mechanic, then worked at ITT in Milan until it shut down. He operated his own small engine repair business in the late 70s and 80s while driving a school bus and serving as substitute mail carrier. He moved to Grand Junction, TN in the mid-eighties to carry the mail full time till he retired from the Post Office in 2007. He loved collecting motor-driven vehicles and creating motor-driven vehicles from his own line called Joebilt. He loved fifth-wheel camping with his wife Frances till his death. He is now eternally camping and retired with the Lord in paradise. SERVICES Funeral Service Friday, August 12, 2016 2:00 PM Bodkin Funeral Home 2000 South 1ST Milan, Tennessee 38358