Obituary of Eugene Post Mowell

Eugene Post Mowell was born May 20, 1924 to Henry Vail and Mabel Frances (Kelly) Mowell in Prospect Park, New Jersey. He was the third of five children. Lawerence V. Mowell was the oldest (now deceased), followed by Kathleen (Hval) then Gene, then the two younger brothers Henry Vail Mowell Jr. (deceased) and last but not least Roger W. Mowell. Gene said he was born during the "Good Times" of the twenties, but remembers more of the struggles in the thirties during the Great Depression.

During his second year in High School at Paterson Central, the War in Europe broke out and Gene signed up for the draft in the summer of 1942 as was required of all 18 year-old males. After high school Gene enrolled at the Newark College of Engineering in the fall of 1942. He decided not to wait for the draft and volunteered to join the Navy that same Fall, signing up for the Naval Aviation Cadets V-5 program. On January 3, 1943 Gene received orders to report for duty. His adventure began at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York where he attended Flight Preparatory School.

Eventually, his Navy career brought him to the west coast where he met the love of his life, Joan DaMant, the Easter of 1943. Gene caught her eye with his sharp uniform, but he won her heart with some fancy flying over her high school and home. Gene was discharged from active duty as a Naval Aviator in December of 1945. Less than two years later he and Joan were happily married on June 22, 1947 in Palo Alto, California.

Gene and Joan purchased their current home in October 1951 in Redwood City, California. It is here that they raised their four children, Pat (Kimball), Nancy (Neff), Bruce and Jane (Jackson). Gene provided for the family as an accomplished pipe fitter with Honeywell International. During his 39 year career as a pipe fitter, he worked all over the Bay area including well known job sites such as the Stanford Hospital and the San Francisco International Airport.

Gene was a strong man of faith who greatly valued his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He and Jo began attending Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in 1951. As a faithful attendee and active member, Gene served as both a deacon and a trustee. He participated in a variety of church activities including attending Saturday morning bible study, leading a covenant group, and teaching pre-school Sunday school class with Joan. In addition, he was no stranger to evangelical television and radio programming. Gene could often be found enjoying some of his favorite programs including Family radio, Chuck Swindoll, Les Feldick, David Jeremiah and many others.

He was also a natural born teacher, always prepared and eager to provide lessons on a variety of topics. Gene's four children, eight grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren were probably the greatest recipients of his patient instruction, though many others were surely grateful beneficiaries as well.

For those that were fortunate enough to know Gene, you know that "There is the right way, the wrong way, and the Gene (Navy) way."

Friends are invited to join the family for a Celebration of Life on Monday, December 12, 2016 at 2:00PM at the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, 950 Santa Cruz Ave. Menlo Park,CA 94025. Private interment was held at Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Menlo Church Christian Education Scholarship fund.




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