Luther Cowling Jr.'s Obituary
Luther Cowling, Jr. went to his heavenly home in his sleep on August 5, 2013, surrounded by his family. He was born on June 3, 1930 in Nashville, Arkansas. He was the youngest of five children born to Luther Wesley and Minnie Lee Cowling.
Luther graduated from Oklahoma A& M in 1953 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Shortly thereafter he enlisted in the U.S. Army in the anti-aircraft and guided missiles branch at Fort Bliss, Texas. He was a Private First Class.
He was introduced to Eddie Blanche Wells at a friend’s where they both were invited to dinner. Their romance developed and they were married on January 13, 1956 in El Paso, Texas. After his honorable discharge from the military on June 17, 1955, Luther did some teaching before he took job with Philco.
Before leaving El Paso, his first two children were born: Lawrence Craig and Luther Wayne in 1957 and 1959.
Luther’s job with Philco moved him to Santa Maria, California. In 1963, Luther started working for Lockheed Missiles and Space as an aerospace engineer. In Santa Maria his next two children were born: LaVena Beth and Curtis Lydon in 1960and 1962.
Luther worked for Lockheed for 26 years and was promoted numerous times. His job transferred him to Aurora, Colorado in 1973 and Redondo Beach, California in 1983 where he retired from Lockheed in 1989. After Lockheed he took a job with Hughes Aircraft where he worked for five years before retiring for good in 1994.
Luther and Blanche followed their daughter to Oregon in 1994. They lived in Scappoose for five years before building a house in the Yankton are in 1999. Luther was successful and gifted in many ways. He had his real-estate license, he was an airplane pilot, he built two homes, he was a singer, and he loved his wife and children.
He always talked about putting in a landing strip on his property as he always hoped to have his own airplane. He was thrilled when Elroy Olson offered to take him up in his plane where they flew over Luther’s lovely property. He even took the controls briefly.
His life was full and rich as loved people and loved to visit with everyone he came in contact with. Some of his errands and shopping trips turned into hours because he needed to see everyone at Safeway or the Credit Union before he could return home. He knew everyone by name and relished those relationships. That was the hardest thing when his health kept him from seeing the people he loved.
Luther’s faith in God was steadfast even in the hardest of times He loved gospel music and took comfort in it during his final days. God was gracious to give him extra time to see his 83rd birthday and his granddaughter’s wedding in July of this year, where he was visited by many and which thrilled him greatly.
Luther is survived by his wife, Blanche, of 57 years; sons Wayne and Curtis; daughter LaVena and her husband Kevin; daughter-in-law Teri Cowling; 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Luther and Minnie Lee; siblings Cecil, Lois, Ruby, and Verma Lee; and son Lawrence Craig Cowling.
Luther’s Celebration of Life will be August 24, 2013 at 2:00 PM at Columbia River Foursquare Church, 555 Commons Drive in St. Helens.
All who knew Daddy are welcome.
What’s your fondest memory of Luther?
What’s a lesson you learned from Luther?
Share a story where Luther's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Luther you’ll never forget.
How did Luther make you smile?