It is with tremendous sadness the family of Dennis Charles McGowan, Jr. announce his sudden passing at age 52 on Sunday October 29, 2017 in his home in Concord, California. He is remembered with love by his wife Barbara of 23 years, his son Dakota, daughter Journey, beloved dog Terra, his mother Carolann, step mom Eileen, sister Shelley, and brothers Chris and Scott. Dennis Jr. was predeceased by his father Dennis Sr.

Dennis was born in New Jersey to Dennis and Carolann where he grew up and (barely) graduated High School in 1983. Dennis and Barbara met in New Jersey and moved out to California where they got married in 1994 and had two wonderful children who meant the world to him. Dennis was a hardworking man who no matter what put his family first.

Dennis was a big teddy bear who was reserved but had a wonderful sense of humor and was always up for an adventure. Dennis loved taking road trips, whether it was traveling across country to visit family or across state lines to experience the beauty of God’s creation. It was Dennis and Barbara’s quest to visit all of the National Parks. They were able to visit a lot of them and they sent pictures and post cards to share the journey with everyone. He loved being in the middle of nature, looking for animals and exploring all parts of the parks whether he was allowed to or not. Dennis had tattoos which reflected his love for nature and his strong passion for the Native American culture. Dennis last tattoo was an outline of New Jersey with a Bruce Springsteen guitar expressing his love for music and having a part of his family with him wherever he went. You could always find him in shorts and a sleeveless Harley Davidson shirt no matter what the weather was like. In any spare time that Dennis had, he loved taking a ride on his Harley. Dennis absolutely loved the Christmas season. He would grow his white beard and go to the stores and watch the kids point at him and ask their parents if he was Santa Claus. Dennis also enjoyed going to the movies, the gym and drinking Coke.

Dennis’ legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone he interacted with.

Please join the family in the Celebration of Life and share your stories of remembrance. Viewing will on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017 at 9:00am at Ouimet Bros. Concord Funeral Chapel, 4125 Clayton Road, Concord CA with Celebration of life at 10:00am followed by a reception at North Creek Church, at 2303 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek CA. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to either the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) at www.NPCA.org or St. Joseph’s Indian School at www.STJO.org/nov
   

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