Thomas Cowan Obituary

Thomas Ewing Cowan, Jr.

November 22, 1945 -

September 25, 2025

Thomas Ewing Cowan, Jr. died at the age of 80 on Thursday, September 25, 2025. Born on November 22, 1944, in Fontana, NC to parents Anna Marie (Russ) and Thomas Ewing "Bozo" Cowan, Sr, he was raised in Elizabethton, TN. Tommy graduated from The Training School at East Tennessee State College, now known as University High School, in Johnson City, TN, in 1962. After obtaining a bachelor's in science from East Tennessee State University in 1965, Cowan went on to graduate with honors from The University of Tennessee College of Law with a Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1968. Following this, Cowan completed the Army's Judge Advocate General Legal Center and School's training program at the University of Virginia. Tom's First Duty Station was Third U.S. Army headquarters at Fort McPherson in Atlanta, GA, in 1969. He served alternately as Prosecutor and Defense Counsel before General Courts-Martial. The Department of the Army promoted Captain Cowan to be Chief Counsel in the Procurement Law Division of the Third U.S. Army Mission in Iran in the Military Assistance Advisory Group in 1970. He served in Tehran for two years.

After completing his active-duty military service in 1973, Tom moved back to Elizabethton, TN, to raise his family. Cowan practiced law for nearly 45 years. He adored his wife of 56 years, Roma (Harmon) and felt fierce pride in his three children, Gabi, Sky, and Heather. Tom doted on his two grandsons, Win and Harmon, as well as his grand-niece Emmy and great-grand-niece Ruby, whom he affectionately called "Fluffy." Tom loved to travel, go to restaurants with friends, especially his best friend Dr. Ed Perry, who passed away in 2015, and to cheer for Duke basketball, which he began supporting after his eldest daughter attended the University. He was able to also cheer for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in honor of his daughter Heather, but the Blue Devils always had his heart. The College of Charleston sadly didn't earn his fandom (sorry, Sky.)

Tom Cowan was sharp, clever, witty, loving, intelligent, confident, and always impeccably dressed. His advice will be sorely missed, as well as his way to find humor in any crisis.

Thomas E. Cowan, Jr. is survived by his devoted wife, Roma Harmon Cowan; his daughter Laura Gabrielle Cowan, and son-in-law Joseph K. Saus, of Washington, DC; his son Thomas Schuyler Cowan, III, of Elizabethton, TN; his daughter Heather Laine Cowan Jones, son-in-law D.W. Shaw Jones, and his two grandsons David Winston Shaw "Win" Jones, Jr. and Harmon Cash Jones, all of Los Angeles, CA; his sister-in-law Dr. Nancy Lanthorn, his grand-niece Catherine Emile "Emmy" Lanthorn and his great grand-niece Ruby P.A. Lanthorn, of Johnson City, TN; his nieces Dr. Mary Vee Blevins Smith (Allen), Lisa Dawn Blevins; and nephews Raymond Dean (Debra) Blevins and Robert Lee Blevins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Ewing "Bozo" Cowan, Sr. and Anna Marie (Russ) Cowan; his sister Sandra Lee Blevins; and his brother-in-law Dr. Raymond Lee Blevins.

The family would like to thank Homebased Primary Care at the Veterans Administration, Logan Cook, and all the doctors and nursing staff at JCMCH, NHC, Lakebridge, and the VA.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Tom's grandson's name, Harmon Jones, for pediatric cancer research in the fight to cure Rhabdomyosarcoma, to Dr. Noah Federman at www.cancer.ucla.edu/donate and please note your donation is in honor of Harmon Jones, for Dr. Federman/ Rhabdo research.

The family will gather to receive friends from 5:00 -7:00pm on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at Morris-Baker Funeral Home, 2001 E. Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, TN 37601. The funeral service immediately follows. Mr. Cowan will be laid to rest at James H. Quillen VA Mountain Home at 2pm on Thursday, October 2, 2025. His family greatly thanks you for your support and love.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family via www.morrisbaker.com.

Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 E Oakland Ave, Johnson City, is serving the Cowan family. (423) 282-1521