James Alton Gower, Sr.

Raleigh – James (Jimmy) Alton Gower, Sr., 85, passed away Saturday, January 28, 2023. A native of Wake County, Jimmy was born November 14, 1937, to the late Ebon Bernard and Elizabeth Parrish Gower.

Jimmy grew up in Wake County where he went to Garner High School. He later went on to work for Sears and the Department of Transportation whilst finally landing at Circuit City, where he retired after 21 happy years. Jimmy coached baseball for R.W. Moore as well as Bryan Lee for 3 years, and during those 3 years he coached the all-star team to the state semifinals. Keeping with this pattern, he absolutely loved setting up a tent at the softball games with his beloved wife Faye to sell the items she spent time making. Jimmy was even happier to be able to watch his grandchildren play sports. Jimmy loved the outdoors, fishing, boating, and being on the lake. As he got older, his favorite hobbies were watching the UNC games and finding any reason to have one of his well-known pig pickings. As the years passed, Jimmy loved having visitors, and one thing that made him ecstatic was putting a smile on someone’s face and watching them laugh. Jimmy was so proud of his family and loved every single person, but above everything he loved his sweetheart, Faye, who was by his side for every bit of the most beautiful journey.

A celebration of Jimmy’s life will be held Friday, February 3, 2023, at 2PM, in the Bryan-Lee Funeral Home Chapel, Garner. Burial at Ebenezer United Methodist Church Cemetery, 6020 Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh, NC 27610. The family will receive friends from 1-1:50, prior to the service at the funeral home.

Jimmy is survived by his wife of 67 years, Alice Faye Gower; children, Brenda Gower, Alton Gower and wife, Lynn, Kim Atwater and husband, Tim, Karen Boyette and husband, Joey, and Lisa Gower; grandchildren, Joey Boyette, Kelly Gholson and husband, Chris, Amie Ivy and husband, Jimmy, Crystal Pozzie and husband, Dave, April Faircloth, Brittany Moore and husband, Jeff, David Faircloth and wife, Victoria, Allison Pegram and husband, Adam, Kaitlyn Bowden and husband, Drew, Bobby Pombrio and wife, Beth, Christina Pollard and husband, Casey; great grandchildren, Victoria, AJ, and Damin Boyette, Mariyah Booth, Hannah, Aiden, Maddie, and Henry Ivy, Isaiah and Jacob Batchelor, William and LeAnna Bordeaux, Mia, Tyler, and Aubrey Moore, Ryan Faircloth, Alayna and Alexis Pegram, Harper and Lennon Bowden, Maxwell Pombrio,; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Jimmy is preceded in death by 5 brothers; Milton, Yancey, Ebon Jr., Melvin and N.D. Gower; and 2 Sisters; Irene and Elizabeth Gower and a grandson, T.J. Atwater.

Flowers will be accepted and we will also be accepting donations in lieu of flowers to the Hospice foundation.