Obituary of Richard Cowan

P. Richard "Dick" Cowan, 86, formerly of 158 Chautauqua Avenue and Memory Garden at Tanglewood, passed away Thursday, February 4, 2021 at Heritage Village Rehab & Skilled Nursing. Dick was an inspiration to us all. Born on July 16, 1934 in Anita, PA, he was one of seven children in the family of Thomas and Barbara Lester Cowan. He grew up a hard worker, knowing the value of faith, family, community, and service. He was a 1952 graduate of Punxsutawney High School, and went on to be a loyal employee of MRC/ TRW Bearings in Falconer. His family included the family of the church. Dick was a dedicated member of Jamestown's Christian & Missionary Alliance Church, serving as an assistant treasurer, board member, elder, and given singing was always a part of his life, a valued member of the choir. Later in life, he joined the Zion Covenant Church. Dick was the person you could always go to whether you knew him or not. He loved meeting new people and talking to those around him. He made you feel comfortable, like you were home, talking over a cup of coffee with a sweet treat, reminiscing and sharing. In addition to his love for people, he delighted in sports, playing in the local industrial and church softball leagues into his 60's, and singing, where his lead and tenor voice could be heard in church, as well as with the Jamestown Harmony Express. Dick traveled down the road of life with his late wife of 53 years, R. Elaine Carlson Cowan, who died on February 14, 2009. Devoting themselves to each other on January 2, 1955, they shared many cherished memories, including trips to the place of his heritage, Scotland, and hers, Sweden. He was a member of the American Scandinavian Heritage Foundation. Dick has now gone to Heaven to be with Elaine, their daughter, Stephanie R. Cowan in 1964, and their son, Steven P. Cowan in 1972. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, T. Boyd, John T., and William W. Cowan, and three sisters, Mabel Hinderer, Ruth London, and Ethel Feliskey. Surviving is Dick's son, Richard S. (Lauren) Cowan and his granddaughter, Kathryn "Katy" Cowan of Peachtree Corners, GA. A private family prayer service will take place led by the Rev. Rick Miller, pastor of Zion Covenant Church. Visitation will not be observed. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery. The Cowans wish to thank all of the caring staff at both Memory Garden and Heritage Village. In lieu of flowers, they suggest memorials be made to either facility, Memory Garden at 560 Fairmount Ave., Jamestown, NY 14701 or Heritage Village at 4600 Route 60, Gerry, NY 14740.