James Ronald "Ron" Cowan

RON COWAN
ALTON -  James Ronald "Ron" Cowan, 85,  went home to be with the Lord at 3:18 p.m., Thursday, December 10, 2020 at his home, surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born in Alton, Illinois on May 9, 1935 to Curtis R. and Essie Mae (Chitwood) Cowan.

Ron graduated from Sparta High School in Sparta, Il, and attended Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

He also graduated from Faith Bible Institute and holds an honorary bachelors and masters degree from Great Plains Baptist Divinity School in Sioux Falls, SD.

Ron was ordained into the ministry of the gospel in September 1969 at First Baptist Church in Grafton, Illinois, where he remained a faithful member up until his death.  He pastored Grace Baptist Church in East Alton, Illinois, was interim pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Bridgeton, Missouri and associate pastor at Fundamental Bible Church in Los Osos, California.  For 21 years, Ron was passionate about publishing and editing a biblical and patriotic monthly newsletter, "Faith and Freedom Sentinel".

For many years, he was a juvenile correction officer for the State Of Illinois, devoting over 32 years working with delinquent youth at the Illinois Youth Center at Pere Marquette in Grafton.  He was lovingly known by the teens he worked with as "Mr. Gizmo".  For the two years during the shutdown at Pere Marquette, he transferred to the adult correctional facility in Taylorville, Illinois.

He married the former Barbara Reynolds on June 27, 1969 in Los Angeles, California, and together they have been blessed with 52 wonderful years.

He will always be lovingly remembered at a devote husband, a loving father to his three daughters, and the proudest "Papa" to his grandchildren.
Surviving are his wife, Barbara Cowan of Alton; his three daughters and their spouses, Jana and ChrisMcGinness of Mulberry Grove, Il., Lori and Chris Dafoe of Port Orchard, Wa., and Krista and Harry Lam ofO'Fallon, Il.; grandchildren, Brett Griffin, Garrett McGinness, Aubrey McGinness and Philip Lam; one great grandson, Hayden Griffin; one brother and sister in-law, Kenneth and Glenda Cowan of Cobden, Il.; one sister and brother in-law, Barbara and Bill Olendorf of Yemassee, SC.; two sisters in-law, Bernice and Carol; and many nieces, nephews and beloved family members.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Stanley Cowan, Lindell Cowan and Curtis Cowan; a sister, Joyce Lloyd; and a sister in infancy, Janette Cowan.

Private family visitation and services will be conducted at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.

Family and Friends are invited to attend the graveside services on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at the Scenic Hill Cemetery in Grafton.  Rev. William Hendricks will officiate.

A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

The family wishes memorial contributions be made to Northwoods Foundation, which provides financial assistance to those in need, in care of Crawford Funeral Home.

 

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