Thomas A Cowan

Thomas A. Cowan passed away peacefully at the age of 87, at home and with family following a battle with cancer. He was born on October 3, 1926 in Corbin, Kentucky to Claude and Carrie (Watson) Cowan. His childhood was spent in Atlanta. Following his high school graduation, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. In twenty years of service he was stationed in Florida, Alabama, Maine, Japan, and Germany. In February of 1968, he retired from the United States Air Force with the rank of Master Sergeant. Tom then worked as an air traffic controller in the Miami area until July of 1988. After his retirement, Tom enjoyed the Florida Keys and traveling through the country in his RV to visit family and friends. He moved to Sebring in 1998. He was a member of The American Legion Post 69; the VFW Post 4300 and the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge 2259. Tom married Johnnie M. Thomas in January of 1951. They were married for fifty-one years before Johnnie passed away in 2002. Tom was also predeceased by his parents and his sister, Carolyn Godfrey. Tom will be greatly missed by his daughters, Peggy Nemeth of Marshfield, MA; Deborah Anderson and her husband Alan of Fort Myers, FL; and Connie Larned and her husband Keith of New Tazewell, TN. He was a beloved grandfather to Christine Zimbelmann, Joseph Larned, Stephen Larned, Clarissa Nemeth, Darryl Anderson. He also had six great-grandchildren. Tom loved boating, fishing, RV travel, flying and karaoke. Enjoying all of it with his family and friends, he often remarked, "It's a wonderful life." He made it so for all who knew and loved him. A memorial service will be held at Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home Chapel in Sebring, Florida, on Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 2:00pm. Following the service the family will receive friends at the American Legion Post 69, 1301 W. Bell St., Avon Park, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom's name to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements entrusted to: Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home www.stephensonnelsonfh.com