Official Obituary of
Joseph Walter Cowan
December 7, 1928 ~ September 18, 2020 (age 91) 91 Years Old
Joseph Cowan Obituary
Joseph Walter Cowan, a resident of Henryetta, passed away September 18, 2020 in Tulsa, OK at the age of 91. He was born Friday, December 7, 1928 in Poteau, OK to Walter Agee Cowan & Grace (Cowan) Goodman.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Henryetta. He was also a Mason for 66 years.
Joe had a strong work ethic and in his youth he worked for two years milking cows. Every morning he would rise at 4:00 AM, start a fire in the wood stove for his family and then head out to milk 35 milk cows before going to school. He would then milk the same cows before returning home after school.
At the age of 17 he joined the Army Air Corp and later attended OSU Tech on the GI Bill, where he received a degree in Electrical Engineering. He had a longtime career with McDonald Aircraft which took him around the world and worked with some of the top fighter jets.
He served in Vietnam during the war, working in reconnaissance. He also worked in Thailand where he met his wife of 53 years. He later worked in Iran during the time of the revolution and the overthrow of the Shah. While working in Vietnam one of the USO shows performed and he had the pleasure to meet John Wayne and had a beer with him.
Joe and his wife Boaleio were long time members of the First Presbyterian church in Henryetta and later joined First United Methodist Church.
His favorite past time was playing dominoes with whomever would play with him, but enjoyed it most when Boaleio would play. Only she could put that twinkle in his eyes. He enjoyed winning and to quote the hospice chaplain, "He beat my socks off".
He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Anek Cowan, one sister, Martha Bogle, stepfather Woodrow Goodman.
Joseph is survived by his wife, Boaleio Cowan of the home,
daughter, Joyce Towler of Wilburton, Oklahoma,
son, Joseph Wayne Cowan of Florida,
daughter, Linda Sharp of Oklahoma City,
son, James Cowan of Eufaula,
numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren,
brother Billy R. Cowan of Jenks,
as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
A graveside memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at 10:00 AM at Westlawn Cemetery with Rev. Richard Geiger, officiating. Services are under the direction of Integrity Funeral Service.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Henryetta. He was also a Mason for 66 years.
Joe had a strong work ethic and in his youth he worked for two years milking cows. Every morning he would rise at 4:00 AM, start a fire in the wood stove for his family and then head out to milk 35 milk cows before going to school. He would then milk the same cows before returning home after school.
At the age of 17 he joined the Army Air Corp and later attended OSU Tech on the GI Bill, where he received a degree in Electrical Engineering. He had a longtime career with McDonald Aircraft which took him around the world and worked with some of the top fighter jets.
He served in Vietnam during the war, working in reconnaissance. He also worked in Thailand where he met his wife of 53 years. He later worked in Iran during the time of the revolution and the overthrow of the Shah. While working in Vietnam one of the USO shows performed and he had the pleasure to meet John Wayne and had a beer with him.
Joe and his wife Boaleio were long time members of the First Presbyterian church in Henryetta and later joined First United Methodist Church.
His favorite past time was playing dominoes with whomever would play with him, but enjoyed it most when Boaleio would play. Only she could put that twinkle in his eyes. He enjoyed winning and to quote the hospice chaplain, "He beat my socks off".
He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Anek Cowan, one sister, Martha Bogle, stepfather Woodrow Goodman.
Joseph is survived by his wife, Boaleio Cowan of the home,
daughter, Joyce Towler of Wilburton, Oklahoma,
son, Joseph Wayne Cowan of Florida,
daughter, Linda Sharp of Oklahoma City,
son, James Cowan of Eufaula,
numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren,
brother Billy R. Cowan of Jenks,
as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
A graveside memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at 10:00 AM at Westlawn Cemetery with Rev. Richard Geiger, officiating. Services are under the direction of Integrity Funeral Service.
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