Richard Charles Cowan Jr, 75

Richard Charles Cowan Jr., 75, passed away on Oct. 23, 2022, after a long battle with MDS. He spent his last moments at home with his wife and best friend, Barbara, and his faithful companion, Annie. Rick loved fishing and camping, and absolutely anything to do with cars and basketball.

Rick was born in Shelby, Montana, on Nov. 27, 1947, to Richard (Dick) and Virginia (Jennie) Cowan. He grew up in Whitefish, Montana, doing all the things Montana boys love to do: fishing, hunting, playing with his pet skunk, Spunky, and riding his gray mare Dolly. Rick and Dolly were faithful participants in the Gala Days Parade every summer when they weren’t off fishing. Rick hiked, hunted, and fished all around Glacier Park, and spent his winters skiing on Big Mountain.

When Rick wasn’t fishing, he was working on cars and motorcycles with his dad, taking his childhood naps on a mechanics’ creeper. Rick loved cars so much that he built many hot rods for himself and his friends, eventually founding the Glacier Street Rod Association so he could share his passion with other hot rod enthusiasts.

Although Montana was his true home, Rick spent his later years hiking and fishing in the Smoky Mountains. He and his wife Barbara traveled to Montana and many other states in their camper with their three dogs. When they weren’t camping, they were cheering on the University of Kentucky basketball teams.

Rick is survived by his wife, Barbara Hunter, his sister Sherry Baker, his daughters Karen Barr (Gregory Zuckert), Kori Knight (Clarence Knight), Katie Wiles (Blake Wiles), and Ashly Cowan, his step-daughter Diana York (Tommy York), his nephew Rob Baker (Kirstin Baker), nine grandchildren and a large extended family.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents Dick and Jennie Cowan, and his granddaughter Brooke Davisson.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Sunday, June 25, at the Village Greens Community Center, from 1-3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the MDS Foundation or your favorite animal charity.