Earnest Eugene Gowdy, age 91 of Brownwood passed away Sunday evening at the Brownwood Regional Medical Center.

He was born August 8, 1926 in Lakeview, Texas the son of the late James E. and Jewel Morris Gowdy.   He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Mid-Western University after graduating from high school and later served in the U. S. Army and later in the U. S. Navy Reserves serving as a Sergeant and rifle marksman and a seaman.

He was married to Mary Louise Bigham on October 18, 1952 in Abilene.   He worked as a soil conservation technician for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service for over 32 years working in the Seminole, Texas area for over 20 years and also served in Wheeler, Snyder and Robert Lee.  He later ranched for over 31 years after retiring and was named as outstanding rancher for Taylor County.

Earnest always placed God and family first beyond his own needs.  He loved his country and working with the other ranchers and farmers he served.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Gowdy of Brownwood; children, Carolyne Hart and husband Jay of San Antonio, Gayland Gowdy and wife Shelley of Brownwood; brother, Ronnie Gowdy of Livingston; 3 grandsons, Jeff Hart and wife Holly of New Braunfels, Geron Gowdy and wife Susannah of Corpus Christi and Grant Gowdy of Lubbock; and great grandchildren, Charlee and Tye Hart.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, Billie Frances Cook and Ima Ruth Hancock and a brother, Morris Gowdy.

A private family service will be held on Saturday in the Davis-Morris Chapel with burial to follow at the Bluff Creek Cemetery in Taylor County.

The family wishes to thank the people and staff of the Chatfield Assisted Living Center for their friendship and compassionate care given to Earnest and his family.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Coggin Avenue Baptist Church Missions Fund or to Howard Payne University School of Math and Science.

Online memorials can be made at www.davismorrisfuneralhome.com