This column serves as a spotlight, highlighting the everyday people who work and live in Callaway County. The Fulton Sun takes a moment with someone who is not usually featured in the news but is just as instrumental in making our community the strong and beautiful place we all know and love.
Calwood native Rusty Gowin, 65, stopped by downtown Fulton on Friday to visit RCW Gifts & Tack Shop. Gowin has lived in mid-Missouri for much of his life. He also spent time in Georgia and Germany while serving in the army as a radio mechanic.
What was your first job?
My first job was a welding machine job in Hatton, Missouri - Young's Welding Machines.
As I got older, I did odd jobs and then I went to school at Linn State Technical College to be a machinist.
Who inspires you most?
Well, in my life today it's Daniel Boone. My hobby is muzzle loading - I think I was born 200 years too late.
What in your life has been the most fulfilling?
Working on my property.
What is something you're proud of?
I'm proud of my sons - two boys, they're 33 and 28 - because of what they've accomplished and what they do. My youngest son's a dancer out in New York and my older son is with the bank.
If you could do any job in the world, what would if be?
What I did - tooling and dyeing. I liked working with metal starting with the machine job. I did that first and then I got more precise with what I did.
What about a job you don't want to do?
I'm kind of a jack of all trades. I can do about anything I put my mind to I guess being a trash collector. I guess I wouldn't want to do that.
What is something no one would guess about you?
I think I'm an open book.
What is your favorite thing about Callaway County?
The people. They're friendly and matter-of-fact. People in Callaway County don't mess around. They tell you what they think and what they're up to.