Donald Herbert Cowan

Donald Herbert Cowan passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord early Thursday morning, June 10, 2021.

Don was born August 26, 1922, to Alma Schuster Cowan and James Cowan at Naches, Washington. Following high school, he enrolled briefly at the University of Washington but left to enlist in the Navy at the outbreak of WWII. He served four years, two years aboard an aircraft carrier in the Atlantic.

Following the war, Don worked at Cowan's Pharmacy, operated a fruit ranch, and was Fire Chief for Yakima County Fire Protection District 3 (Naches area) for 31 years with a total of 40 years' service. He owned and operated a dry cleaning and laundry business, sang in the church choir, supervised care of the church grounds, and drove school bus.

Don married Helen Hopkins December 29, 1957, at the end of the New Year's morning church service ... a total surprise to the congregation.

Don added dry-land wheat farming near St. John in 1972. Don and Helen made a complete move to St. John in 2003 after Helen's retirement from Yakima School District. Don enjoyed snow skiing, water skiing, golfing, flying and basically driving anything. He and Helen were committed to their church, enjoyed traveling, motor-homing and the Theater Organ Society.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Charlotte; brothers James and Richard, and sister Carol Bain. He is survived by his wife, Helen, St. John; Mark (Colleen) Salem, Oreg .; grandchildren Aaron (Katie), Port Angeles, Michael (Megan) and children Nigel and Daphne, Salem Oreg., and Holly Cowan Galis (David). Salem, Oreg .; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by special family friends, Raymond and Cheri Alexander, Yakima, and their four children, Cameron (Kaori) Austin (Erika), Joel, and Ashley.

Services are planned for June 26, 11:00 AM, at the United Methodist Church in St. John, Wash. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to: Spokane Union Gospel Mission (1224 E Trent Ave. Spokane, WA 99202), Spokane First Nazarene Theater Organ Society (9004 N Country Homes Blvd. Spokane 99218), Colfax First Baptist Church (200 N Mill St., Colfax, WA 99111), or to the St. John United Methodist Church (PO Box 236, St. John, WA 99171.)