James Alan Gowans (22 Oct 1939 - 22 Oct 2018)

In loving memory of James Alan Gowans who sadly passed away peacefully on his 79th birthday, 22nd October 2018, with his daughter, Nam, by his side.

Those who knew Alan would have been well aware of his quick wit, eloquence, creativity and kind heart. Those who knew him best felt how deeply he loved them.

Born in Drymen in 1939 at very start of the war, Alan was the son of a second-generation baker. Together with his younger sister Triona they made Drymen, and the family bakery, their playground. However, with a passion for brushwork greater than it was for bread, the bright lights of Glasgow, and the School of Art beckoned in 1957 after being schooled at Hurst Grange Preparatory School and latterly Glenalmond College.

Working for advertising agencies for over 40 years in London, Europe, the United States and Asia he made lasting connections wherever he called home. Kicking off his career with J.Walter Thompson in London as an Assistant Art Director in 1961, Alan soon became Head of Radio, and then a TV Producer.

Between 1971 and 1984 he worked for DMB&B and McCann Erickson, producing television adverts for household brands including Persil, Kellogs, McDonalds, Colgate, Mars and Coca Cola.

In 1984 Alan moved to Bangkok, Thailand, striking out on his own as a freelancer, again working with some of the biggest brands and creative agencies. Those familiar with the TV programme, Mad Men, will know the often-excessive lifestyles agency executives lived during these decades. But in 1990, after the birth of his only child, Nam, Alan walked into a Buddhist temple and vowed to never drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes again.

Alan loved Thailand. Not only did he embrace its religion and culture, its people welcomed him thanks to his grace, humour and charm. Alan made the land of smiles his home, and in return, it gifted him his most treasured love, his daughter. After fighting for and winning full custody of Nam, they lived together in Thailand and Indonesia, becoming an inseparable pair. During this time, Alan learned and excelled at being a single parent, raising a strong, beautiful and amazingly independent child.

Returning to London in 2000 for a heart by-pass, it was around this time Alan decided retire and move back to Scotland with Nam to give her the best education possible. Together they lived in Stirling and Edinburgh, where she went to high school and studied at university.

Alan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2010, with the condition slowly worsening. In 2015 he entered full time care. Up until this point his daughter lovingly cared for him in their flat together in Gorgie, Edinburgh.

Nam married her husband, Rory, in late August 2018 after meeting each other in high school in 2006. While he was not able to attend, Alan delightedly acknowledged what had taken place, and understood that Rory would always be there to love and take care of his daughter.

Despite the disease removing his independence and memory in his later years, Alan never once forgot Nam, and always reminded his daughter of how deeply he loved her. She knew this up until his final hours, and her love for her ‘Paw’ will continue to burn brightly, now he is at peace.

A loving father, father-in-law, brother and uncle he will be missed by all who were lucky enough to meet and love him.