Long-time Alaskan and Wasilla resident Jack Alfred Cowan, 81, died peacefully with family members by his side, Dec. 15. A celebration of life will be held at 3:30 p.m., Jan. 9 at Wasilla VFW Post 9365, 301 Lakeview Ave.

Jack Cowan was born May 15, 1927 in Petoskey, Mich., to Vaughn Cowan and Ruth (Seward) Cowan. He was raised by his Grandmother Cowan and lived briefly with his father and stepmother, Marguerite Cowan. Jack graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School in Kenosha, Wisc.

Jack was a veteran of WWII when he served with the United States Army “Blue Devil” Division in Italy and received an Honorable Discharge in 1947. Knowing he was related to William Seward, he always wanted to see Alaska. In 1952 he moved to Alaska and began his career with the U.S. Air Force 21st Civil Engineering. After 30 years of service, he retired in 1982 as the Chief of Off Base Maintenance and Engineering. He received many meritorious civilian awards from the Department of the Air Force. Including OBF All Star Team, and 30 year Service Awards.

In 1955, he married Maud Dean “Sunny” Johnson, together they raised six children and built a house in Anchorage. They made many memorable camping trips to Kenai Lake, Moose Pass and their cabin on Lake Lucille. In 1989 Jack and Sunny moved to their dream home in Wasilla where they enjoyed retirement, traveling Alaska in their motor home and numerous family get get-together. In 1999 Sunny passed away, shortly after their 44th anniversary. After years of sadness, jack met Linde Kohlrus and she brought life and love back into his heart. Together they made a home and she has been his constant companion.

Jack was a member to the Anchorage Moose Lodge 1534, and served as governor 1988-1989, past governor, and was responsible for many improvements, including the family room. He was a lifetime member to the VFW Post 9365 where he serves as post commander, chaplain and PAC man. There he won All American Post Commander in 2001-2002. He also belonged to the Elks, AM Vets, Eagles, American Legion and NRA.

Jack loved his children, teaching them values, respect, love and the meaning of family. He designed and had Cowan Clan jackets made. His favorite things to do were camping, family parties and taking his kids out on the town. He enjoyed collecting coins, spoiling his dogs, Dominique, and hearing, playing and telling jokes. Jack could act grumpy on the outside, but had a heart of gold on the inside. He had a can-do, will-do attitude, nothing was impossible. He was know to help those in crisis in need, and some on a one-to-one basis. Jack loved his grandchildren and had a special bond with each one of them.  He was very proud of all his family and very patriotic.

His children said, “Of all the heroes we look up to in a lifetime, none stick with us quite like the first. Our hero, our forever hero, our dad.”

He was preceded in death by his wife Sunny, his son Kevin and his dog Dominique, brother Junior and both sets of parents.

He is survived by his daughters and son-in-laws, Kathi and John green, Kelly and Steve Baxter, Kari and Randy Dupree, Laura Cowan-Sands and son and daughter-in-law Kap and Kelly Cowan. Grandchildren, Shane and Kellsie Green, Matthew Baxter, Craig (Michelle) Baxter, Jarrett (Vanessa) Madeleine and Marshall Dupree, Cody and Rhys Sands, Kap Jr. and Kaelie Cowan and Larinda Wolford. Great grandchildren Maxwell, Benjamin and Isabelle Dupree. His girlfriend Linde Kohlrus, and her family, Frank (Wendy) Kohlrus, Petra (Mike) Jones, Susan Welton, and their children, Petrina, Kyle and Erin. His brother Jerry Cowan and sisters Sharon Flory and Sandy Zabawa. His life long best friends Norm Twitty and Paul Sines. His adopted family The Turtles, his blood brothers, his brothers from the VFW and Moose Lodge.  Many life-long friends, neighbors and his adopted children. He will be greatly missed by all, never forgotten.

In lieu of flowers the family requests you donate a teddy bear to the Alaska State Troopers.

Arrangements were made by Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary.