James Thomas Cowan Jr.

James “Jim” Thomas Cowan, Jr., age 70, of Phoenix, passed away on Saturday, March 18, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. He was born on Monday, August 12, 1946 to the late James and Mary (O’Connor) Cowan in LaGrange, Tennessee. James attended Fayette County High School graduating in the class of 1964. He then went to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville earning his Bachelor’s degree in 1968 in the field of Agriculture. James then furthered his education at the University of Texas, Austin earning his Master’s degree in Statistics. He was then commissioned into the US Army in 1969, were he served proudly with the rank of Captain until he was Honorably Discharged in July of 1972.

Mr. Cowan worked as an Economist for the US Department of Agriculture until he founded his company, Pyramid Limited, in 1982, taking that venture nationwide in two short years. James has instilled wildlife and conservation practices on his lands in Tennessee and Mississippi. He is the founder of the An Chuan Di Yi Foundation, which focuses on the wildlife conservation and historic preservation. James was also an esteemed member of The Mystik Knights of LaGrange as well as a titled Duke at the “Center of the Universe”.

James is survived by his two loving children, Benjamin Thomas Cowan of LaGrange, TN, and Courtney Leigh Cowan Gray and her spouse Kristopher Lynn Gray of Phoenix; two grandchildren, Graeme Elise Gray and Gunnar Cowan Gray, both of Phoenix; his sister, Mary ‘Eileen’ Cowan of LaGrange, TN; a nephew, Young Liu and his wife Sharon Liu of Los Angeles, CA; and many other loving family and friends.

Celebration of life services will be held on April 8, 2017 at the LaGrange United Methodist Church in LaGrange, Tennessee.