John J. Jack McGowan, 81, of Grand Island, NE, died Saturday, February 21, 2015, at his home with his family by his side. Mass of the Christian Burial will be Thursday, February, 26, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Leos Catholic Church. The Rev. Donald A. Buhrman and Rev. Harold R. Kurtenbach will concelebrate the mass. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the United Veterans Honor Guard and the U.S. Air Force Honor Team. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 7 p.m. at Curran Funeral Chapel with a vigil rosary service at 7 p.m. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family. Jack was born March 20, 1933, at Greeley, Nebraska. He was the son of Thomas and Marjorie (Whalen) McGowan. Survivors of his immediate family include his wife of 58 years, Dee McGowan of Grand Island, NE Children, Thomas (Brenda) McGowan, Hood River, OR David (Ann) McGowan of Elkhorn, NE Shaunna (Dan) Sjomeling, Johnson Lake, NE Jacqueline (Mitch) Berke, Elwood, NE Deidre (Mike) Henton, Papillion, NE JJ (Allison) McGowan of New York, NY Brother and sisters-in-law, Chuck (Kay) McGowan of Grand Island, NE Waunita McGowan of Grand Island, NE Ramona McGowan of Grand Island, NE Brother-in-law, Don Mattea of Papillion, NE Others left to cherish his memory include his twenty grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Jacks family moved to San Francisco where he attended St. Pauls Grammar School. In 1947 the family returned to Nebraska. Jack graduated from St. Marys High School in 1951. He enlisted in the Air Force, providing medical service during the Korean Conflict receiving his honorable discharged in 1954. Following the military, he enrolled at Creighton University, then transferred to Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1960. Jack was united in marriage to Dee Kowalewski on September 8, 1956 at St. Marys Cathedral in Grand Island. Thirteen years later, after the birth of five children and having residences in Omaha, Idaho and Colorado they returned to and made Grand Island their permanent home where their sixth child was born. Jack thoroughly enjoyed his work in sales which included being in insurance, a pharmaceutical rep with Abbot Laboratories, a building supplies rep for Macklenburg Duncan MD. He is known best for his work in real estate for the past 38 years as an owner, broker and agent. He had a reputation for his honesty and great rapport within the industry. Jack was known as a very giving man and dedicated his time and business expertise too many organizations. Most notably was his work with Central Catholic Development Foundation where he was inducted into the Alumni Hall Of Fame in 2008. His priorities in life have always been his faith, family and friends. He shared his love of thoroughbred horse racing with his family and friends, witnessing the victory, of his horse, Lasorta, before his death, from his bed surrounded by his family. He will long be remembered for his smile, sense of humor and his giving Irish Spirit and will be greatly missed by his family and the community. He was a member of St. Leos Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus and the Platt-Duetsche. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters-in-law, Dick and Helen, Paul, Bill and Agnes, Leo and a sister, Patricia Mattea. Memorials are suggested to Grand Island Central Catholic Foundation or St. Leos Catholic Church. Online condolences may be given at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Jacks obituary.