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John Cowsar Sr. '54 January 25, 2021 11:14 AM updated: February 11, 2021 10:51 AM

John David Cowsar Sr.
September 16, 1925 - January 16, 2021

John David Cowsar Sr., born September 16, 1925, in Mundy, Texas, passed away on Saturday, January 16, 2021, with his three sons by his side. John was the son of the late John T. Cowsar and Willie Voss Cowsar of Quemado, Texas. A graduate of Eagle Pass High School, John attended and played football for Tarleton State College and Sul Ross University, where he met his beloved wife Clara May Bogel whom he married in 1950. John received his Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural engineering in 1954 from Texas A&M University.

John and Clarita enjoyed the early years of their marriage in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, where John was employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on the Aftosa Commission for six years, working to eradicate hoof and mouth disease in the interior of Mexico. He had been a River Rider along the Rio Grande from Eagle Pass to El Indio, Texas, which qualified him and other excellent horsemen for the Aftosa. His entrepreneurial endeavors took John and his family to Colorado Springs, Colorado, College Station and Uvalde, Texas. John became the Dimmit County surveyor in Carrizo Springs, Texas, in 1976. He rounded out his career working for the Middle Rio Grande Development Council 911 Mapping Service before retiring in 2011.

John was an avid outdoorsman whose greatest joys included fishing on the rivers and coastal waters of Texas or hunting with family and friends in South Texas and at the family ranch at Marfa, Texas. He will be remembered for his quick wit, his amazing ability to tell a story, his knowledge of the latest technological gadget, and his incredible generosity. John lived out his Christian beliefs through his willingness to give a hand up to strangers, by his non-judgmental heart and his uncanny ability to put himself in someone else’s shoes. His door was always open, and there was always room for one more at the table, a Labrador retriever to be trained, an arrowhead to be found and a hunting trip to be planned.

John is preceded in death by his sister Tommie Cowsar Bruce and husband Bill Bruce of Del Rio, Texas.

He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Clara May Bogel Cowsar, his sons John D. Cowsar Jr. '73 and wife Susan, George C. Cowsar and wife Cindy, and Edward C. Cowsar '82 and wife Robin '80. He was blessed to be the grandfather of 14 grandchildren including one Aggie '17 and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his nephew Bill Bruce and wife Anne and niece Judy Bruce Fisher and husband Walter.

John leaves behind many dear friends. The family would like to extend their gratitude to Juan Garcia, Maria Guadalupe Sierra and Elma Diaz who have lovingly devoted their time to the care of John and Clara May.

The family will have a private memorial service. A celebration of John’s life will be scheduled at a time and location to be announced in the future. For those desiring, the family suggests memorials be directed to The Association of Former Students, Aggie Ring Scholarship, 505 George Bush Drive, College Station, TX 77840, or Amigos de los Americas, 1800 West Loop South, Suite 1325, Houston, TX 77027 (amigosinternational.org/donate)

©The Big Bend Sentinel


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