Thurman Leon Cowan
May 14, 1941 ~ September 24, 2022
Thurman Leon Cowan, 81, of Columbus, passed away September 24, 2022 at Columbus Regional Hospital.
Thurman was born May 14, 1941 in Adair County, Kentucky, the son of Lindsay and Pearl Bryant Cowan. He married Margaret Virginia Orberson on December 22, 1966.
Thurman was a hard worker all throughout his life. He was employed at The Foundry, retiring from Cunningham Pattern in 2014 to take care of his wife as her health declined. Thurman enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, cutting wood and watching NASCAR racing. He loved doing farm work with his son Michael, and always had a steady supply of lawnmowers to work on. Thurman regularly attended auctions in the area, always keeping a keen eye on the look out for Christmas related items and old Avon bottles. On these trips, Thurman would stop and buy a Monster Energy Drink and a bag of powdered donuts. Over the past few years, Thurman’s grandson-in-law, Jason Baldwin, showed extraordinary care and consideration to make Thurman’s life as fulfilling as possible. They often shared meals together, discussing if the meal would earn a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” from their proficient taste buds. Thurman shared many adventures with Jason including several camping trips, as well as a trip to Canada.
He is survived by his children Michael (Marci Harig) Cowan of Columbus, Randall (Shelia) Cowan of Taylorsville, Joann (Terry) England of Columbus, and Frances (David) Caldwell of Columbus; grandchildren Marc Davis, Shauna (Jason) Baldwin, Amanda England, and Christina (Jason) Shaffer; great-grandchildren Dalton, Savannah, Damon, Davis, Dane, and Davin; great-great-grandchildren Isaiah, Hayden, and Piper; as well as two siblings Carl (Lydia) Cowan of Madison, Kentucky and Magaline Orberson of Kentucky.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Margaret on November 14, 2016; a son David Cowan; brothers Esbert, Junis, Charles, Gilbert, and Harlan Cowan; as well as sisters Gladys Spurling and Lorrine Cowan.
The funeral will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, September 30, 2022 at the Jewell – Rittman Family Funeral Home with Rev. Chauncy Romine officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 29, 2022 at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service Friday. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association thru the funeral home.
You are invited to send a message to the family via the funeral home website www.jewellrittman.com.






He was the best Papaw anybody could ever ask for. I’ll miss you much! So thankful you and Grandma are reunited.
Blue Caribbean Bouquet was purchased for the family of Thurman Leon Cowan.
Great guy. Huge loss to family and friends. RIP Thurman
what a great friend, he and margret was. he put garden out and one row was for margret other row was for me. we lot of good times on trips to virginia. Good memories. And when the Lord blessed Him he’d dance for the Lord. Now He is dancing for sure.What aBlessing!!!!!
Gene and Libby Hays
now
he
I was in the room next door to Thurman at Silver Oaks.
In the short time I knew him, I got rather attached. He was one of those persons you have a natural desire to look out for. Another resident and I would eat with him every day, and always included him in our conversations. Even if he didn’t always respond, I felt it was important to treat him like another human, and maybe that would help him with cognitive issues.
I feel some happiness has somehow left the world now. One thing I always wanted to do was have a beer with him, since he would talk about this sometimes.
My friend, raise a glass up in heaven. I’ll be having a toast to you down here.
Rest In Peace, Thurman.
Kirk Beckstein
Emerald Garden Basket was purchased for the family of Thurman Leon Cowan.
An external video has been added.
My father-in-law was one of the greatest men I have ever had in my life. No one could imagine the joy and love he brought into my life. My heart is breaking but he has earned his well deserved peace
Divine Peace Bouquet was purchased for the family of Thurman Leon Cowan.
Simply Elegant Spathiphyllum was purchased for the family of Thurman Leon Cowan.
Just thought about you yesterday, Thurman. Looked up & saw you just passed away less than 2 months ago!! Miss you ole buddy!! We talked quite a bit when I helped in the Foundry at Cunningham’s in High School, in 1995-1996. Pat Floyd, Todd Hall, etc. Great times!! R.I.P. Thurman!! ❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏