Reed Richard Cowan
1965-2021
Reed Richard Cowan passed away last Saturday morning, October 9, at the age of 56 after a period of deteriorating health.
Reed was born on August 2, 1965 in Provo, the son of Richard and Dawn Cowan. While attending Wasatch Elementary School, one of his teachers called him their “Sunshine Boy”. Since this moniker matched Reed’s kind and upbeat personality, it stuck. Reed graduated from Provo High School, where he made many friendships that lasted over the years.
Always curious and eager to learn everything, Reed developed an interest in aviation. While at school, he took part in a Civil Air Patrol youth welfare service and enjoyed the assignment of using colored flags to guide incoming aircraft during an air show at Provo Airport.
Reed was fortunate enough to be on a Boy Scout group led by a Master Boy Scout recognized by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as # 1. He was proud to have achieved the high rank of Eagle Scout.
While studying at the College of Eastern Utah at Price, Reed was involved in a serious car accident in which he eventually lost his left foot. He didn’t let this injury get him down. He accepted a calling as a missionary in the Church’s England Coventry Mission. Regarding the British dialects he encountered, he quipped that those who insist that England not be a consulate abroad do not know what they are talking about.
Upon returning home, Reed married Pam Elkins of Provo. She had been a missionary in New Zealand while he served in England. They were married on February 10, 1989 in the Provo LDS Temple and had three children – Becki, Amber, and Zachary.
Reed loved his family and enjoyed attending school, church, and other events that his children attended. In recent years, “game nights,” where family members crowd loudly and cheerfully around a table game, have become popular events. Many employees enjoyed and appreciated his fun-loving personality and yet caring friendship.
While at Southwest Air Lines, Reed enjoyed taking advantage of the opportunities to fly to destinations in the west. He also worked for United Parcel Service in their Orem hub.
Reed continued to have many interests. He was a loyal Cougar fan and attended many soccer games before the pandemic made this impossible. He enjoyed seeing vintage aircraft, particularly those from World War II, and often traveled to air shows in the area. He helped organize the Lego Users Club in our area and enjoyed building vehicles, figures and other objects out of the tiny bricks.
He continued to serve in the Church of Jesus Christ and usually served as a teacher in priesthood quorums and Sunday School, often with his wife, Pam.
Reed and Pam lived in West Provo for most of the 32 years of their married life. However, they only recently moved to West Bank, where they could be closer to their children and Pam’s work.
Not only did Reed lose his foot, but he also struggled with a number of health challenges, including diabetes and impaired kidney function, which necessitated dialysis. During the past summer he seemed to be losing strength and slowing down. By Tuesday evening last week, his strength had worn off so much that he could barely stand, so he was taken to the emergency room at Jordan Valley Regional Medical Center. The decision was to keep him in the hospital for observation. However, his condition worsened until he died on Saturday.
Reed Cowan leaves his wife, Pam, from West Jordan; by his children Becki (Zach) Rogers from West Jordan, Amber (Thomas) Olsen from Alpine and Zachary also from Alpine; from his parents, Richard and Dawn Cowan of Provo; and by his siblings Sandra (Angelo) Rodriguez from Lehi, Linda (Aaron) Gerber from Raleigh, North Carolina, Lee (Marnie) Cowan from Provo, Tricia from Orem, and Donna (Nolan) Coleman from Springville. These family members and many friends mourn his death and believe that his mortal life ended far too soon.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 16, 2021, 11:00 a.m. at Willow Grove LDS Church Chapel, 1945 W 9000 S, West Jordan, UT 84088. Before the service there will be a tour of the church from 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. The burial will take place at the West Jordan City Cemetery, 7925 S 1300 W, West Jordan, UT 84088.
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Published by Deseret News October 13-14, 2021.
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