Gary Dean Cowell

Gary Dean Cowell was born on the 5th day of March in 1952, in Versailles to Jewell Conrad and Charolette Gregory Cowell.  He joined older brother Robert Jewell and later the family grew to include a third son, Johnny. The Cowell’s finally welcomed a daughter; however little Caroline passed in infancy.

Gary grew up in rural Morgan County and like so many young men of that era, Gary liked his muscle cars and that was never more evident than when he acquired his Black on Black 63’ Chevy Impala; which some say he loved more than his own family.

Gary married Nellie Dunnaway and to this union two children, Travis and Tiffany were born.  On February 15, 2002, he married Sue Montavy , and gained two more children, Robin and Jay.  He enjoyed spending time with his kids but as we all know, it was his grandkids that truly had his heart.

An early job included working for the City of Stover and then he had an opportunity to work for Brown Shoe Company in Versailles.  He later became a supervisor at A+B Manufacturing in Sedalia before retiring from Fasco in Eldon.

It was following his retirement that Gary decided to open Gary’s Bar in Versailles, where he loved visiting with the locals, listening to his music, swapping stories and enjoying the company of good friends.

If you knew Gary you learned to expect the unexpected.  From his honking noise, which gained him the nickname Big Honk and his son Little Honk, to his knack for making up words to fit the occasion; Gary enjoyed whatever was going on at that moment.  You could say he didn’t have time to sweat the small stuff, because it was living life to the fullest and being with those he loved that mattered the most to him.

The past few months found Gary battling with his health and it was on Wednesday, February 10, 2021, surrounded by those he loved that his fight was finally over.

Gary’s legacy will continue with his wife, Sue Cowell of the home; his children, Travis Cowell and companion Sarina White of Versailles; Tiffany Cowell and companion Waylon Coontz of Versailles; Robin Mack and husband Travis of Watertown, South Dakota and Jay Borton and wife Gabrielle of Versailles and his grandchildren, Austin, Dezirea, Braden, Gavyn, Landon, Madison, Alexis, Cassandra, Gracie and Bennett.  He is also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Jewell and Charolette, his wife Nellie, his brothers, Robert and Johnny and his sister, Carolina.

In keeping with his wishes he will be cremated.

To honor Gary’s memory, the family will receive friends from 4:30 p.m. -6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16, at the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home in Versailles.

Inurnment will be at a later date in the Versailles Cemetery.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Gary Dean Cowell, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

Tuesday, February 16, 2021 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home in Versailles 210 E Jasper Versailles, MO 65084