Dee Cowan

Dee Gibson Cowan, 94, passed away Oct. 9, 2012, at his sons home in Cedar City, Utah.He was born on Jan. 26, 1918, in Nephi, Utah, to Gibson Sharp Cowan and Marion LaVerne Ingram Cowan. His family moved to Cedar City in 1931 and he lived there for the rest of his life, except for his service during World War II.He met his sweetheart, Winona Hunter, at a party when they were teenagers. They had their first dance date on April 24, 1937. He held her hand later that night but waited until Jan. 1, 1938, to kiss her. They were married in the St. George LDS Temple for time and all eternity on June 24, 1941, and went on to raise four children and build a business together.Dee graduated from Branch Agricultural College (now Southern Utah University) in 1939 with a degree in accounting. He served in the Utah National Guard and later in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II, where he earned the rank of 1st Lieutenant and was a flight instructor for the B-24 Liberator. Later he was an active member of the American Legion for many years.Dee and Winona started their own business, Cowan Gifts, in 1946. It later became part of Hunter Hardware, which is now Hunter-Cowan. Dee joined the Lions Club in 1947 and remained actively involved for about 60 years, serving as president of the local club and as a district governor. He also coached Little League baseball from 1952 to 1962, during which his team won the state championship five times and made it to the national semifinals twice. Dee also served on the Iron County Commission for 10 years in the 1970s and 1980s.An active member of the LDS Church, Dee served as a bishop, high councilman and counselor in a stake presidency. He later taught his high priest quorum until age 92.Dee led an active life, participating in a variety of sports as a child and young man. An outdoorsman, he spent many hours hiking, hunting and fishing. He remained active throughout his life, swimming with a group of friends three days a week into his 90s. Following the swims, the buddies stopped by Lins for chocolate milk or lemonade.He was preceded in death by his beloved wife; his parents; a brother, Max; a sister, Eileen Stewart.He is survived by three sisters, Elaine Stephenson, Dorothy Richens and Colleen Sherratt; four children, Judee (Brooke) Passey, Rexburg, Idaho; Jeff (Deb) Cowan, Cedar City; Kristine (Terry) Hanks, Cedar City; and Katherine (David) Robinson, Murray, Utah; 13 grandchildren, Michael Kirk, Morgan (Jeremiah) Greene, Brian Passey, Zach (Katie) Cowan, Kristine (Paul) Pratt, Becca (Ben) Munson, Michelle (Jared) Oldham, Jeremy Hanks, Gibson (Char) Cowan, Samuel (Heather) Hanks, Shannon (Marcus) Nielson, Ian Robinson and Sean Robinson; and 13 great-grandchildrenFuneral services will be held Thursday, October 18, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Church located at 256 S 900 W, Cedar City. Visitations will be held Wednesday, October 17, 2012 from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. at Southern Utah Mortuary, 190 N 300 W and prior to the service on Thursday, October 18, 2012 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be at the Cedar City Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary.In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Hunter-Cowan Memorial Endowment, Southern Utah University, Attn. Lori Blackner, 351 W University Blvd, Cedar City, Utah. Online condolences can be sent to www.sumortuary.comThe family sends a special thanks to Iron County Home Health and especially Brenda Bentley for her compassionate and loving care.