William Cowden

William Henry 'Tuffy' Cowden, 92, of Mountain Home, Texas passed away peacefully on February 9, 2019 at home on his ranch. He was born in Mineral Wells, Texas to Jerry Eugene and Lorene Cowden on November 19, 1926. He was the fourth son of five boys that grew up on the family ranch in west Kerr County. He attended Kerrville Schools until joining the Navy in 1944. He served in the Pacific Theater aboard the LST 1001 as a Naval Seaman first class. After the war, he married his high school sweetheart, the late Tommie Jean Womack. He later married Edwina Henke. He began a life time career in the ranching business in Kerr and Frio Counties. After the drought in the 1950's he worked a few years for the Farmers Home Administration, later worked for, and served as Board Member of the First National Bank in Kerrville and later NorWest Bank and Wells Fargo Bank for over 30 years. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church for most of his life. Most recently, he was a member of the Divide Chapel. He learned to fly on the GI Bill after the war. He loved to fly and owned several airplanes including his favorite Cessna 182. He also loved to take people flying and introduced several future professional pilots to flying.\r\n\r\nHe served on many civic organizations including, the Divide School Board, the first Kerrville-Kerr County Airport Board, and the Hill Country Cowboy Camp Meeting.\r\n\r\nHe is survived by his two sons, William H. Cowden, Jr. and wife Kitty and Mark Thomas Cowden; his grandchildren, Courtney (Jimmy) Mitchell, William Cody Cowden, William T. Cowden and Parker Jean Cowden; and 4 great-grandchildren, Weston Mitchell, Jalyn Mitchell, Cason Mitchell and Katie Mitchell.\r\n\r\nMemorial services will be held at 2 PM, Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church officiated by Rev. Dr. Rob Lohmeyer. Burial will be held privately.\r\n\r\nMemorials can be made to Honor Flight, Inc. at www.honorflight.org or charity of one's choice.\r\n\r\n