James Hal Cowan

James Hal Cowan Jr., died on March 18, 2021. He was born in San Mateo, California on May 1st, 1944. He liked to mention that he was born in the same hospital as Tom Brady. He grew up in Sacramento, California, the son of James Hal Cowan, Sr. and Janet (Overturf) Cowan. His father was a Special Agent with the FBI, and later an attorney. His mother was a homemaker. He had four sisters, at least one of them still living. Her name is Kathy Morgan, and she loved her brother dearly. James joined the Navy at the age of seventeen, and traveled the world on the aircraft carrier Essex. During the Cuban Missile Crisis as a radio man, he discovered a Soviet submarine trying to sneak through the blockade. He always said he was just goofing around with the equipment, and found it by accident.

After the Navy, he married Sharon Harrison, and had two children, James Harrison Cowan, and Jennifer Hallie (Cowan) Parsons. He worked as a life insurance salesman, and provided a good life for his family. He was devoted to his community of Somersworth, NH. He was very involved in both Little League and youth hockey. His work in Little League was probably his greatest joy in life. Baseball was his passion, and he and his son visited many ballparks over the years. Favorites included Camden Yards in Baltimore, and of course Fenway Park.

James worked as a tax assessor in Somersworth for 50 years. He was a member of the school board for more than a dozen years. James always believed that public service was important, and that community was based on everyone pitching in.

James Cowan was also a great story teller. He found humor in everything, and loved engaging with people. He was the sort of person people went to when they needed a helping hand, because he was a great problem solver, and an unconventional thinker. He certainly was one of a kind.

James leaves behind his ex wife, Sharon, who was still one of his best friends, two children, Jamie and Jennifer, nephews Will and Ben, his sister Kathy, grandchildren Ewan and Matilda, and many other nieces and nephews, as well as friends like Stephanie Monza and Richard Clough, who he held dear.

A celebration of the life of James Hal Cowan isn't scheduled, but will be an event for all who loved him once we all get this COVID situation under control.