June 1922 ~ September 2018
92-year resident of Pacific Grove
Howard L. Cowen, born in Lafayette, Louisiana, passed away peacefully at his home at the age of 96. He married his high school sweetheart, Wynette Walker, in 1942. Howard served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 – 1945 and in the Naval Reserves through 1947. His life-long membership in the Sheet Metal Local #104 and the National Union began in 1942.
Howard was a member of the Pacific Grove Volunteer Fire Department for 36 years, retiring as Captain. As a proud graduate of Pacific Grove High School (Class of 1941), he was a founding and honorary member and past president of the PGHS Alumni Association and the Breakers Club. Howard was chairman of the PGHS Stadium Fund Committee, which was formed to add lights and bleachers for the new high school in 1962. The project was completed in 1967. He was later honored with the stadium being named the Howard Cowen Breaker Stadium.
He was honored to be a proud member of the PGHS Hall of Fame.
A Candy Cane Lane resident since 1959, Howard served for many years as Project Chair of the annual holiday display and was the creator of the well-known 15’ “Pierre the Nut Cracker” figure. He served as Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop #115 and was a volunteer with Feast of Lanterns for several years. Howard and Wynette were managers of Walker’s Campground in Big Sur for ten years.
Howard is survived by his wife of nearly 76 years, Wynette; his children, Ron Cowen (Salinas), Barbara Seubert (Windsor), Ken Cowen (PG) and Kathy Cowen (Lakewood, CO); his daughter-in-law, Patti Cowen (Castroville); his sister, Colleen Johnson; nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and many extended family members. He was preceded in death by his mother, W. Zephyr Farrell; siblings, RJ Cowen, Wayne Cowen, Louise Fichter and Terry Farrell and his sons, Robert (Bob) and Gary Cowen.
An informal celebration of Howard’s life will be held at the Pacific Grove Community Center, 515 Junipero Avenue in Pacific Grove this Wednesday, September 19 from 3:00 – 7:00 P.M. Donations in Howard’s memory are suggested to: the PGHS Alumni Association, P.O. Box 51396, P.G.; PGHS Breakers Club, 615 Sunset, P.G.; Alzheimer’s Association, 21 Lower Ragsdale, Monterey, 93940; Pacific Grove Volunteer Fire Department, 600 Pine St., P.G. Please visit www.thepaulmortuary.com to sign Howard’s guest book and leave messages for his family.
