Cleveland Co., Oklahoma - Obit for James Alvis Cowan II

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Obit for James Alvis Cowan II


James Alvis Cowan II, 84, of Moore, Oklahoma, passed away on May 13, 2002, in 
Bland, Missouri.  He was born October 19, 1917 in Moore to James A. Cowan and 
Rachel Siler Cowan.

Alvis loved poetry and his favorite poem, "A Psalm of Life", could have been 
his theme song. He often recited this poem to his children and stated that he had 
learned it at the knees of his Grandmother Siler.

In 1937 he was married to Jean Maxine Wilkinson and from that union three 
daughters were born:  Beverly Jo Cowan, Betty Groves, and Ellen Benharbit.  His 
second marriage to Martha Porter produced six children:  Susan Nichols of 
Owensville, MO., Rachel Hughs, of Chandler, AZ, James Alvis "Sonney" Cowan III 
of Tuttle, OK, Bobby Cowan, Mesa, AZ., George Cowan of Bland, MO., and Alvina 
Wilks of Moore, OK.  Alvis is also survived by his twin brother, William Alford
Cowan, a niece, Joye R. Boulton Swain of Oklahoma City, a nephew, William "Reg" 
Cowan of Norman, OK., one sister, Helen Cowan, 18 grandchildren and 10 great 
grandchildren.

Alvis was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean, his second wife, Martha, 
his eldest daughter, Beverly, his parents, and his sisters, Opal Cowan Boulton 
Garland and Edith Cowan Gillette.

Services were Saturday, May 18th 2:00 pm at the John M. Ireland Funeral Home & 
Chapel, Moore. 

Arrangements were under the direction of the John M. Ireland Funeral Home & 
Chapel, Moore, OK.





Another obit appeared in the Moore American  on June 11, 2002


James Alvis Cowan II

James Alvis Cowan II, 84, of Moore, Oklahoma, passed away on May 13, 2002, 
in Bland, Missouri.  He was born October 19, 1917 on a farm north of Moore 
proper to James A. Cowan and Rachel Siler Cowan.  Alvis, as he was commonly 
known, was a first generation descendent of pioneers who made the run for 
Oklahoma in 1889.  Alvis was proud of his heritage.  His father, the third 
mayor of Moore and an attorney, made the run on horseback and later a charter 
member of the Capitol Hill Myrtle Lodge of Freemasons.  Alvis' maternal 
grandparents, Lincoln and Edith Siler, made the run in a covered wagon.

Alvis was a member of the First Baptist Church in Moore and Elsinore Baptist 
Church in Phoenix, AZ, were he lived for several years.  He loved poetry and 
was a member of the Poets Society in Phoenix, AZ.  His favorite poem, A Psalm 
of Life, could have been his theme song.  He often recited this poem to his 
children and reminded them he had learned it at the knees of his Grandmother 
Siler.  He was a life-time member of the International Union of Bricklayers 
and Allied Craftsmen, Mason.  As a child he was an accomplished artist but the 
times offered no opportunity to pursue his talents.  So, as an adult he applied 
them in creating beautiful masonry, which can be found all over the state.  He 
took great pride in his work.

After his retirement, Alvis volunteered at soup kitchens for the poor and 
enjoyed playing cards and dominoes.  He was a John Wayne fan.

In 1937 he was married to Jean Maxine Wilkinson and from that union three 
daughters were born; Beverly Jo Cowan, Betty Groves, and Ellen Benharbit.  
His second marriage to Martha Porter produced six children; Susan Nichols 
of Owensville, MO., Rachel Hughs, of Chandler, AZ, James Alvis Sonney Cowan 
III of Tuttle, OK., Bobby Cowan, Mesa, AZ., George Cowan of Bland, MO., and 
Alvina Wilks of Moore. OK.  Alvis is also survived by his twin brother, William 
Alford Cowan, a niece, Joye R. Boulton Swain of Oklahoma City, a nephew, William 
Reg Cowan of Norman, Ok., one sister, Helen Cowan, eighteen grandchildren and 
ten great grandchildren.

Alvis was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean, his second wife, Martha, 
his eldest daughter, Beverly, his parents, and his sisters, Opal Cowan Boulton 
Garland and Edith Cowan Gillete.

Services were Saturday, May 18 at the John M. Ireland Funeral Home & Chapel, Moore.
Arrangements were under the John M. Ireland Funeral Home & Chapel.



Transcribed by:  Susan Gabel       sgabel1@juno.com