Obituary of H. Wade Cowan

H. Wade Cowan, Sr. passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2015. Wade was born in Cedar County, Missouri December 21, 1936 but had been a resident of the Chattanooga area for the past forty-five years. He attended the University of Missouri and the University of Kansas City where he earned an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and a graduate degree in Economics. Wade served in the U. S. Army during the Cold War as a Russian translator and intercept operator. After leaving the military, he began a career with the Tennessee Valley Authority as a real estate appraiser and later served as the head of the Land Acquisition Program. Wade lived a life of service to his family, friends, and the community. Two of his favorite community-related endeavors were his work with Project First Offender and with the Boy Scouts of America, where he served as Scout Master of Troup 191. He served as president and board member of the Chattanooga Unitarian Universalist Church in the 1970s where he worked on a range of projects to support Inner City educational and recreation projects. His fondest efforts were extensions of his membership in the Dance-Theater Workshop and his love of handball and racquetball; Wade worked tirelessly during these turbulent years to gain access for inner city youth to facilities that supported these avocations. Wade later joined the Episcopal Church and was an active communicant at the Church of the Good Shepherd on Lookout Mountain until his health declined several years ago. Wade passed away at his home surrounded by family--his wife Kay, son Hardin Cowan, daughter Virginia Maedgen, son-in-law Robert Maedgen, and grandson Theo Maedgen. His family would like to thank Comfort Keepers and Amedisys Hospice for their loving care during the final months of Wade’s life. A memorial service will be held at the Church of the Good Shepherd Chapel, Lookout Mountain, Tennessee on Tuesday, February 10th at 1:30 p.m. Eastern time. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.wannfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by Wann Funeral Home & Cremation Center, at the foot of historic Lookout Mountain. 4000 Tennessee Avenue, Chattanooga (423) 821-7551