COWAN Samuel Edgar Cowan III, age 77, of Jacksonville, FL. In John 14:3, Jesus said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” On July 1, 2014, preparations were complete, and Sam departed this earthly life to receive his heavenly reward. He was born on September 24, 1936, in Collingswood, New Jersey, the only son of Samuel Edgar Cowan II and Sylvira Louise Weaver. Sam was a long-time member of Murray Hill Baptist Church, Jacksonville, where he served his Lord and his community as a deacon for several years. Sam was proud to be a member of the Masonic Fraternity, serving as Worshipful Master of Woodstock Park Lodge #313 F. & A. M. in 1977, President of the West Jax Shrine Club, Grand Master of Masons in Florida, F. & A.M. in 1997, and as the current Personal Representative of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Florida, Scottish Rite Bodies. He was a member of Riverside Lodge #266 F. & A. M. A staunch supporter of the youth, Sam coached Little League T-Ball at West Duval Youth Association, served as CubMaster at Oak Crest United Methodist Church, and served on the Advisory Board of Woodstock Assembly #87 International Order of Rainbow for Girls. Sam was employed for over 20 years at The Prudential Insurance Company, and served as a member of the Florida Air National Guard. He enjoyed woodworking, traveling, antique cars, and spending time with his family. Sam made connections all over the world as a Ham radio operator (WA4LFL) and was a member of the Gateway Rifle and Pistol Club. Besides his family, the greatest loves of his life were America and the Alabama Crimson Tide (RTR). Never forgetting his roots, Sam was also a diehard fan of the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles. In the words of one of his granddaughters, “He was an amazing husband, father, and grandfather, but most of all the bestest of friends for anyone who knew him.”
Sam is survived by his wife of 58 years, the former Juema Carter; daughters Barbara L. Cowan and Judith A. Wheelwright (Jim) of St. Johns, FL, and Connie M. Coward (Paul) of Jacksonville, and son Samuel E. “Ed” Cowan, Jr.; granddaughters Felicia, Emma, and Ellie Cowan and Corah and Sabrina Coward, and grandson Chris Richardson; and his faithful companion of 2 years, Lucy. He was predeceased by his parents, stepfather Alvin Thomas Gerle, stepmother EunaBelle Willoughby Cowan, two sisters and one brother. The family will receive visitors from 5-8 p.m., Sunday, July 6, 2014, at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 729 S. Edgewood Avenue in Jacksonville. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 7, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at Murray Hill Baptist Church, 4300 Post Street, Jacksonville, with Rev. Jay Stuckey and Rev. Sam Bennett officiating. Interment and Masonic Rites will follow at Riverside Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children (12502 USF Pine Drive, Tampa, FL 33612), the Scottish Rite Building Fund (965 Hubbard Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206), or the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory (2150 Bleecker Street, Utica, NY 13501). Arrangements by HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME, 729 S. Edgewood Avenue, Jacksonville, FL.
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