Larry L. Cowdin

Larry Lee Cowdin, a child of God, family man, and a Great American, passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at the age of 77, at St. Francis Hospital, Topeka, Kansas. Larry was born to Rose L. Miller and Alfred E. Cowdin, March 19, 1932 in Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas. Larry grew up in Ottawa, attended schools there and graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1950. He earned a Bachelor's Degree from Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas. He worked for the Kansas Department of Transportation for 34 years, retiring as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Transportation, August 18, 1994, having been appointed to that position by Governor Joan Finney. Larry was President of Cowdin Homes and built over 250 homes in Shawnee County. After his retirement, Larry walked the state of Kansas both North to South and East to West. Larry was active in the community. He was a member of the Highland Park United Methodist Church, the Blue Lodge and Scottish Rights Masonic organizations. He served on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanities and served with the Boy Scouts of America. He ushered football games at the University of Kansas for 42 years. For his service to K.U., Mark Mangino presented him with an authentic football jersey Number 42 with his name on the back. Larry was responsible for constructing the baseball diamond at Hayden High School. He served on the Board of Directors of Topeka Golden Giants Baseball Organization. He sponsored many children's, men's, and women's athletic teams. Larry was a member of the Whitelakes Walkers, a senior health and social club. Larry was the eighth child, seventh son, in a family of twelve children. He was preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Rose Cowdin, and siblings, Eugene, Robert, Bernard, Arlene Dean, Darrell, Ronald, and Barbara Holmes. He is survived by siblings Danny L. Cowdin, Quenemo; C. Richard, Ottawa; Betty Ann Newkirk, Wellsville; and Karen Revey, Garnett. He is also survived by Barbara Cowdin of the home, four sons R. Joe Cowdin, D. Bruce Cowdin, T. Brett Cowdin, and Aaron M Cowdin. Also six grandchildren, Tychicus Brett Cowdin, Tobias Hawk Cowdin, Natalie Margaret Whitt, Makaila Marie Cowdin, Maisie Rose Cowdin, and Jaxon Scott Cowdin all of Topeka. The family will receive friends at a visitation Friday, April 10, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Kevin Brennan Funeral Home 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 11, 10:00 a.m. at the Highland Park United Methodist Church, 29th and Michigan followed by graveside services in Ottawa, Kansas, at 1:00 p.m., Highland Cemetery, Southeast Fifteenth Street. Following the graveside service a luncheon will be served at Agape Church on South East Fifteenth Street and Highway I-35. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association and sent in care of the funeral home.