Michael Joseph Cowan

Michael Joseph Cowan, 40 years old, of Charlotte, North Carolina passed away on Saturday August 4th, 2024, after a short and brave battle with a brain aneurysm. The greatest joys of Michael’s life were his precious daughter Rory and wife Allie Belk Cowan, who anchored his world with their love. He was also a beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, son-in-law, friend, and colleague who gifted everyone he met with quiet kindness and an earnest desire to know people’s stories.

Michael was born in Florence, South Carolina, where he was passionate from a young age about both the natural world and computer technologies. Even as a child Michael knew how to make people of all ages feel at ease and wanted to solve their problems, and he had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge that continued throughout his whole life – an inborn mission to master the difficult, name the unknown, solve the unsolvable, and teach the unteachable.

After traveling in Europe, Michael moved to Charlotte and turned his childhood passion into a superlative technology career, most recently with roles as a lead systems engineer at Classic Graphics and as the Systems Administrator for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s College of Computing and Informatics. Michael surrounded himself with close colleagues who became dear friends, because he attracted to him those just like him: people who strive to solve big problems; are fundamentally compassionate, honest and good; and are never afraid to have a little fun. One of those people became his wife and soulmate Allie, whom he married in January of 2021.

Michael and Allie’s family grew with the birth of their daughter Rory. They made a beautiful life, creating a welcoming home with renovations they enjoyed accomplishing by hand, together, and spending lots of time with friends, family, and most importantly their child. They loved to laugh – with each other, their large and close families, dear friends, and anyone who was lucky enough to be invited in for a rousing good time in the Cowan household. Michael was quiet in large groups, but those close to him knew to watch out for the one-liners from his corner of the room, and in small gatherings he was the life of his favorite kind of party – one in which he could engage his deep curiosity for people’s experiences in long, intimate conversations. Michael had a gift for making anyone he spoke with feel seen, heard, and cared for.

Michael’s loved ones are deeply grateful for the support they have received from dear friends and family and for Michael’s heroic care by the Novant Presbyterian Hospital’s neurology team, who have displayed true compassion and respect throughout this profoundly difficult time. They are also grateful for the kind professionalism of the LifeSource program, because of whom the great gift of Michael’s life will be passed on through organ donation.

Michael is survived by a large and adoring family: His wife Alexandra Belk Cowan and their daughter Aurora Josephine Cowan, of Charlotte NC; mother and stepfather Joyce and Mike Stalvey of Saluda, NC; father and stepmother Rick and Libby Cowan of Florence, SC; brother Russ Cowan and wife Kris, with their son Joe Cowan; sister Lynn Richey and husband Scott, with their daughter Jessica and fiancé Hunter; sister Tanya and husband Chad Moody; sister Rocci Guy and husband Daniel, with their child Lay and daughter Gracen; sister Nikki Esposito and husband Joel, with daughters Hailee and husband Christopher Ehlman and Olivia and husband Josh Dillenbeck; in-laws Rep. Mary and Ralph Belk and siblings Hillary Belk, Chase Belk, and Ralph and Brooke Belk III with son Ralph IV; a special aunt, Susan Spring, who was there for every birthday, holiday and graduation; and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins on both his and Allie’s sides.

Michael’s Celebration of Life will take place at Wilson Funeral at 5301 Albemarle Road, Charlotte, NC 28212 on Saturday, August 10th. The family will receive condolences at 11:00 am, and the service will begin at 12:30 pm. In lieu of flowers the family would be grateful for donations to Lowcountry Land Trust (a South Carolina land conservancy organization) or Doctors Without Borders, both representing causes dear to Michael’s heart.