Lawrence Anthony McGowan's Obituary
Lawrence Anthony McGowan, age 65, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2018 at Inova Loudoun Hospital in Leesburg, VA. He was born April 30, 1952 in London, England to Laurence Joseph McGowan and Eileen Kelly. He will always be remembered for not only his accomplishments in this life, but for the acts of kindness and friendship that he extended to others during his journey. He will be forever honored by all who knew and loved him.
In his youth, Larry was active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts holding the positions of Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. He was later inducted as an Ordeal member of the Order of the Arrow. Larry pursued an interest in photography, which he did for a time as a business. In addition, he was a model railroading hobbyist. Larry also had a love of history and was considered a bit of a history buff. He was also deeply interested in genealogy and learning about his ancestry.
Larry enlisted in the Navy in the fall of 1971 and following boot camp was assigned to the USS LASALLE home ported in Bahrain. In 1973, he was transferred and completed his service in the Mediterranean aboard the USS BIDDLE. Larry received the command’s Sailor of the Quarter Award twice during his service. The first time he received it while serving aboard the LASALLE and again during his service on the BIDDLE. Larry received an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1975.
Following his service in the US Navy, Larry went on to complete his education at the University of New Haven. He made the Dean’s List during his first semester and was later inducted into the Alpha Chi National Honor Society, which was the highest academic honor to be earned at the university. Larry graduated in 1981 with a degree in Criminal Justice.
Following his graduation, Larry accepted a position at Newport News Shipbuilding in Hampton-Newsport News, VA. In 1985, Larry accepted a position with NAVSEA working in support of its submarine programs taking him to the Northern Virginia area. During his career, Larry’s dedication and efforts were recognized with the Grace Hopper Government Technology Leadership Award (2004), NAVSEA Logistician of the Year Award (2005) and 10 Special Act Awards, and 17 Performance Awards. Larry was ultimately honored with the Navy Meritorious Service Award in 2014. He retired from his civilian service with the Navy in 2014.
Following his move to Northern Virginia and while working at NAVSEA, Larry was introduced to Theresa Lampert Everhart through her Chi Omega sorority sister. The two were later married on April 29, 1989 in Hamilton, VA.
Larry is survived by his eternal companion and wife Theresa; their three loving children, Andrew, Nicholas, and Emma; his step-father Roy Goodrich; siblings: Veronica Scharpf, husband George; Mary Teresa Scotto, and husband Salvatore; Geraldine Macri, Kathleen Ruiz, and husband Rudolfo; Brendan Goodrich, and fiancée Andrea DeFusco.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 17th from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Loudoun Funeral Chapel, 158 Catoctin Circle, S.E., Leesburg, VA. The funeral service will be held the following day on Wednesday, April 18th from 11:00 AM –12:00 PM at the same location. Larry will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. (https://www.michaeljfox.org/get-involved/donation2.php)
What’s your fondest memory of Lawrence?
What’s a lesson you learned from Lawrence?
Share a story where Lawrence's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Lawrence you’ll never forget.
How did Lawrence make you smile?
