Linn County News
Published July 25, 2018
Tommy Lee Gowing of Parker, Kan., left this heavenly earth on Thursday, July 19, 2018, in Adrian, Mo. He was born on Aug. 10, 1932, in Kansas City, Mo., to William McKinley and Blessing Iris (Casto) Gowing.
Tommy attended grade school in La Cygne, Kan., and graduated from La Cygne High School in 1950. To further his education Tommy attended Kansas State University from 1950 to 1952, majoring in agriculture and playing football for the Wildcats.
He was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War in 1952 and served as a tank mechanic. During this time, Tommy played football for the Army in the Pioneer League at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, until 1954.
Tommy went back to Kansas State after serving his country and continued his education, playing football until 1955.
On June 10, 1956, Tommy Lee Gowing and Patricia Marie (White) Gowing were united in marriage at the First Christian Church in La Cygne. To this union three sons were born: Darrell Lee, Gerald Dean and Gregory Eugene. The family lived on a farm south of Fontana, Kan., where he raised Polled Hereford cattle and row crops in the Marais des Cygnes river bottoms.
Family life kept Tommy busy as he was actively involved in the boys’ 4-H club and FFA projects, along with the numerous sporting events they participated in throughout the years. As Tommy grew older, he enjoyed planting and working in his garden, attending local and state fairs, and helping his son Darrell with his construction business.
Religion was a strong aspect of his life and he enjoyed visiting with his church friends and listening to the gospel at Sunday services where he was a member of the First Christian Church of Garnett, Kan.
Tommy was preceded in death by his parents William and Blessing Gowing and his beloved wife Patricia Marie.
He is survived by three sons, Darrell and Gerald of Lane, Kan., and Greg and wife Debra of Goddard, Kan.; two grandchildren, McKinley Stewart and McCallister Joscelyn Gowing, also of Goddard; with a host of other relatives and friends.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 25, 2018, at the First Christian Church in Garnett. Interment will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Oak Lawn Cemetery, La Cygne.
Memorial contributions can be made to the First Christian Church of Garnett or Crossroads Hospice in care of the Schneider Funeral Home, 202 North 4th Street, La Cygne, KS 66040.
OBITUARIES
Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025

Linn County News Published June 4, 2025 Gary Ray Johnson, age 90 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on May 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home in Pleasanton, Kan. Visitation... [More]
Rees Lyle Shattuck ~ 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025

Linn County News Published May 28, 2025 Rees Lyle Shattuck, age 93, Prescott, Kan., passed away Monday, May 26, 2025. He was born on Aug. 31, 1931, in Boicourt, Kan., the son of Rees Wilbur and Lulu Elizabeth Black Shattuck. He served his country in the United... [More]
Wayne Eldon Long ~ 07-03-1942 to 05-24-2025

Linn County News Published May 28, 2025 Wayne Eldon Long, age 82, of Parker, Kan., passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Wayne was born on July 3, 1942, in Garnett, Kan., the son of Homer Leon and Margaret Ethel (Collins) Long. He was one of three children and... [More]
More Obituaries
- John Ted Miles ~ 01-29-1960 to 05-01-2025
- Zachary Eldon White ~ 06-12-1992 to 04-29-2025
- Rebecca S. Landers 12-30-1964 to 04-18-2025
- Ira Johnathan “Sonny” Robinson ~ 04-10-1944 to 04-26-2025
- Paul Dean Benham ~ 09-23-1944 to 04-26-2025
- Bonnie Faye Bishop ~ 03-25-1949 to 04-22-2025
- Lois A. Murray ~ 11-03-1931 to 04-20-2025
- Dr. Howard F. Wilson ~ 02-05-1938 to 04-20-2025
NEWS
SPECIAL: Commission to vote Monday on Parker Center lease

Linn County commissioners plan to vote at their weekly 9 a.m. meeting next Monday, June 2, on a 99-year lease agreement with Parker and their Senior Center building. At Tuesday's weekly Commission meeting, delayed by a day because of Monday's federal Memorial Day observance,... [More]
Despite Chamber loss, Blast in the Park fireworks will go off

Council actions include split vote on deed conveyance Hearing of the disbandment of its local Chamber of Commerce, La Cygne leaders have verbally concurred that the city’s part in the annual Blast in the Park festivities will go on. Following that Chamber notification... [More]
Linn Valley discusses city hall funding sources

The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present. Donelson informed the council of two potential opportunities for funding a new City Hall building. ... [More]
More News
- USD 362 board rejects adding bus A/C
- SPECIAL: Blue Mound man seriously injured in accident
- Commissioners make official statement on Tanglewood roads
- La Cygne okays local police firing range
- Mound City council adopts rules for camping
- LCSO releases statement on incident
- Pleasanton requests 1-year automatic aid fire extension
- Commissioners hear update, discuss aid agreement for Pleasanton FD
SPORTS
Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State

The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to West Franklin on May 22 to compete in the 3A Regional. As a team the girls placed 10th with a score of 22.5 points while the boys were fifth with 56 points. This year the top three places in each event qualify for the State meet then... [More]
School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka

The Pleasanton track team traveled to Eureka on May 22 for a 2A Regional track meet. This year the top three places advance to the State meet along the top four times/distances not from the top three from all other Regionals. This year the Jays qualified eight athletes in seven... [More]
More Sports
- Lady Hawks win league as Hawks host TRL meet
- Pleasanton track sets school records at Pioneer League track meet
- Prairie View track sets meet and league records at Wellsville
- Pleasanton baseball splits against Jayhawk
- Prairie View softball defeats Osawatomie and Girard
- Jayhawk baseball earns win over Pleasanton
- Prairie View track has a great day as they host home invitational
- Jayhawk track places top three at Prairie View
OBITUARIES POLICY
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

