John David Cowan passed quietly on January 28, 2019, leaving behind a daughter and two granddaughters who loved him and knew him for how special he was.

John was born on February 24, 1939 to John Hubert Cowan and Stella Cord Cowan in Culver Hospital, Crawfordsville, Indiana. He attended Mt. Zion and Crawfordsville schools, graduating with the Class of 1957. He was active in band while in high school and that was a vital interest for him throughout his life. He was an active member of the Pep Band at CHS during the 50's and particularly enjoyed playing with a group of classmates at the Class of 1957 50 ^th reunion.

After graduating High School, John enlisted in the Air Force and was sent to serve at Air Rhein-Main Base near Frankfurt/am Main, Germany. After discharge, John attended classes at Tulane University and the University of Maryland. He finished his undergraduate degree at Purdue University in 1965. He then attended Indiana University, graduating in 1969 with a Master's in Radio/TV. He re-enlisted in the Air Force and became a Public Affairs officer at Malmstrom AFB, Montana. After 4 ½ years he was assigned to West Berlin where he ran the American Forces Television station. He met and married Gertrud Kaiser during this tour of duty in Berlin. He was blessed with a daughter, Tanya, while in Germany. After returning to the United States, John joined the Air Force Recruiting Service, operating out of Pittsburgh. He worked as a recruiter in NY, PA and WV before being assigned to broadcasting in South Korea as Deputy Commander of the network out of Seoul(AFKN). He returned to Crawfordsville when his father died, then retired from the Air Force in 1983 at Wright Patterson AFB.

After returning to the Crawfordsville area, John was an active community supporter. He was a 28-year member of the American Legion. He attended local high school events, donated to various organizations for needy children, worked the lamb tent and assisted young leaders in 4-H. John worked with the Jail Museum, sang in the Sunshine Chorus, played in the community band, was a part of the League of Women Voters, and participated in Kiwanis International from 1992. He was in the 1986 movie Hoosiers , that was filmed in New Richmond, IN as an extra in the barber shop scene. He worked part-time for several years at Lowe's. John considered his greatest accomplishment to be his role as Commander of American Forces Television in Berlin and serving as Deputy Commander of Broadcasting Network in Korea (AFKN).

While John did not succeed in becoming President of the United States which was listed at the top of his bucket list at his 60 ^th class reunion, he never knew a stranger and is remembered by all for being a steadfast, true friend, an avid supporter of the many causes he undertook, a role model for many, and an outstanding husband, father and grandfather.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Gertrud, and son-in-law, James Wilhoite. He is survived by daughter, Tanya Cowan Wilhoite of Muncie, IN; and granddaughters, Hannah and Virginia.

A celebration of life will be held on February 24, 2019, which would have been John's 80 ^th birthday, at Liberty Chapel Church, 3942 W & 500 N Crawfordsville, IN. 47933 at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Montgomery County Community Foundation with a memo note designating the Town of New Richmond and mailed to PO box 334, Crawfordsville, IN 47933 or to the Crawfordsville Kiwanis.