James Alvis Cowan II

© The Moore American

June 11, 2002

Submitted by: Susan Gabel

James Alvis Cowan II

James Alvis Cowan II, 84, of Moore, Oklahoma, passed away on May 13, 2002, in Bland, Missouri. He was born October 19, 1917 on a farm north of Moore proper to James A. Cowan and Rachel Siler Cowan. Alvis, as he was commonly known, was a first generation descendant of pioneers who made the run for Oklahoma in 1889. Alvis was proud of his heritage. His father, the third mayor of Moore and an attorney, made the run on horseback and later a charter member of the Capitol Hill Myrtle Lodge of Freemasons. Alvis' maternal grandparents, Lincoln and Edith Siler, made the run in a covered wagon.

Alvis was a member of the First Baptist Church in Moore and Elsinore Baptist Church in Phoenix, AZ, were he lived for several years. He loved poetry and was a member of the Poets Society in Phoenix, AZ. His favorite poem, A Psalm of Life, could have been his theme song. He often recited this poem to his children and reminded them he had learned it at the knees of his Grandmother Siler. He was a life-time member of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen, Mason. As a child he was an accomplished artist but the times offered no opportunity to pursue his talents. So, as an adult he applied them in creating beautiful masonry, which can be found all over the state. He took great pride in his work.

After his retirement, Alvis volunteered at soup kitchens for the poor and enjoyed playing cards and dominoes. He was a John Wayne fan.

In 1937 he was married to Jean Maxine Wilkinson and from that union three daughters were born; Beverly Jo Cowan, Betty Groves, and Ellen Benharbit. His second marriage to Martha Porter produced six children; Susan Nichols of Owensville, MO., Rachel Hughs, of Chandler, AZ, James Alvis "Sonney" Cowan III of Tuttle, OK., Bobby Cowan, Mesa, AZ., George Cowan of Bland, MO., and Alvina Wilks of Moore, OK. Alvis is also survived by his twin brother, William Alford Cowan, a niece, Joye R. Boulton Swain of Oklahoma City, a nephew, William Reg Cowan of Norman, OK., one sister, Helen Cowan, eighteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

Alvis was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean, his second wife, Martha, his eldest daughter, Beverly, his parents, and his sisters, Opal Cowan Boulton Garland and Edith Cowan Gillete.

Services were Saturday, May at the John M. Ireland Funeral Home & Chapel, Moore. Arrangements were under the John M. Ireland Funeral Home & Chapel.

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