Waylon Dee Cowan

Born September 19, 1944, in Brownwood TX Waylon spent his early years in Placid, TX with his parents, Preston and Winona Cowan, and brother Gaylon. After graduating from Rochelle High School in 1962 Waylon held various jobs until beginning his banking career with Brady National Bank as a teller. He then moved to San Angelo, working at Central National Bank in various capacities. In1972 Waylon moved to Del Rio, TX where his long employment with Del Rio Bank and Trust began. Over the years Waylon held various positions, including teller, proof operator, personal banker, loan officer, head of operations, and head of the trust department. He ended his banking career in December 2006 holding the position of Executive Vice President.

Waylon served in the US Army National Guard, stateside during the Vietnam years.

Waylon attended LSU School of Banking over various summers early in his career.

After retiring from banking and moving to Fredericksburg, TX Waylon began his second career and found a new passion and love. He served in the Stephen Ministry and held a job as hospital chaplain at Hill Country Memorial Hospital for 13 years. Waylon considered this second career a true gift from God, as he was passionate about grief care and helping others in their times of need.

In 2019 Waylon retired fully and moved with his family to Montgomery, TX to the beautiful area of Lake Conroe.

Some of the things Waylon loved through the years: tennis, hunting, poker, golf and his later passion was woodworking, especially building things for the granddaughters. He also loved making small rustic pocket crosses and handing them out to people he would meet. Neighbors, doctors, friends and strangers. Waylon would lovingly sand these small hand crosses, oil them and pray that the recipient would discover a love for Jesus as he had.

After years of difficult health issues, including his first heart attack at age 32 Waylon led an active life and battled through each illness as it came. Heart and vascular disease, strokes, kidney disease, prostate cancer and eventually the pulmonary fibrosis that was too difficult to battle. Waylon passed after several days at home with excellent hospice care, surrounded by family.

Waylon is survived by his wife of 42 years, Connie Koplin Cowan

Daughter and son in law, Chelsea and Sean Fritz, granddaughters Chloe and Ryleigh, brother and sister-in-law Scott and Katherine Cowan, brother in love and sister in love Chuck and Judy Cauthorn. Numerous nieces and nephews.

Waylon is preceded in death by his parents Preston and Winona Cowan, wife Lynda Smith Cowan, brother Gaylon Cowan and stepmother Novella Cowan.

A note in Waylon’s prayer journal that he prayed every day:

Heavenly Father, I trust you and I ask you to guide me as I take a stand for You so that my family and others will want a relationship with You too. Draw my loved ones into a saving knowledge of You. In Jesus name. Amen.

A celebration of life memorial is planned for April 25, 2026 at Christ in the Hills Church – Fredericksburg TX.