Life-long Cochise County rancher Robert E. (Bobby) Cowan passed away on February 14, 2009 in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Born on April 5, 1934 in Douglas, as Ralph and Mattie Cowan’s youngest son, Bobby called the Cowan Ranch and Cochise County his home for his entire life; first at the 4 Bars near McNeal and then at the JO Bar near Tombstone. In addition to the ranching operation he established Frontier Equipment and Holiday Water Company.
Cowan was a member of the King Solomon Masonic Lodge #5 for more than 50 years serving as Master more than once. He was a member of the York and Scottish Rites and a 50 year member of the Pearl of Venus #6 Chapter of the Eastern Star. He was a member of the Sabbar Shriners where he participated in the Fliver and Mounted Patrols raising funds for the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
He served on the Tombstone Unified School District School Board for 32 years, receiving a commendation from President George H.W. Bush, and overseeing the relocation of the new High School. He also participated in the Los Charros Trail Ride for many years.
He was a long-time member of the Cochise Graham Cattle Growers, serving as its president in 2000-2002. He was a member of the Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association, serving on its Board of Directors. He was also a member of the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Bureau of Land Management Grazing Advisory Board.
He is survived by his daughters, Caren Cowan (Albuquerque, NM), Connie Cowan (LaJolla, California), and Carol Cowan (Tombstone), one grandson, R.W. Cowan Wood, numerous nieces and his wife of more than 35 years, Merle, her daughter and granddaughter Patti and Jenna Bright (Tombstone), and her son Rick O’Steen and his family in Florida.
He was preceded in death by his grandson Jeremy Bright, his parents, his brothers Jim and Bill, and his Aunt Florence Cowan Snure.
Arrangements are being handled by the Hatfield Funeral Home, Sierra Vista, Arizona.
Services for Bobby Cowan will be held in the Tombstone High School Gym located at 1211 Yellowjacket Way, Tombstone, at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2009.
In lieu of flowers, the families suggests donations be made in Bobby’s name to the:
Mattie Cowan Scholarship Fund, Arizona State Cowbelles Treasurer, Mary Jo Rideout - PO Box 1033, Red Rock AZ 85245; the
Pat Nowlin Memorial Scholarship Fund, Anne Ferguson, PO Box 578 Carrizozo NM 88301; or the
Cattlegrowers Foundation, Inc., POB 7517 Albuquerque NM 87194
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