Edwin "Sonny" Tyson McCowan Jr.

Born on February 3rd, 1948, in Birmingham, Alabama, he was the son of the late Edwin T McCowan, Sr. and Ann McCowan.

Ed attended Shades Valley High School. He received a B.S. and MBA from The University of Alabama and was a member of the fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Ed was a lifelong, avid Bama Fan and NEVER missed a football game, RTR! He served in the United States Army as part of the Quartermaster Corps in Germany. The majority of his career was spent as a Corporate Controller for International Paper Company and Chesapeake Corporation. Ed was an active person his entire life. He enjoyed spending time at his family's lake home on Lake Martin impressing the ladies with his barefoot skiing abilities. Ed was an active member of the Virginia and Arkansas Masters Swimming and attended many National Championships. After retirement, he discovered a new love in cycling and competed in several races such as the Cap to Cap.

Ed’s pride for his two daughters was immediately evident the moment you met him. The love he had for his daughters was immeasurable, and he took such delight in his grandchildren. Anyone that knew him, knew all about his grandchildren. He never missed an opportunity to attend any and all of their many activities, often dividing his time between events that occurred at the same time. His smile and presence will be greatly missed by all.

Ed was an honest, kind, reliable, selfless gentleman and a friend to all. As a cradle Episcopalian, he lived his life through Christ each day and enjoyed being an active member of his church parishes.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Ruby McCowan; daughters, Caroline Kirsh and Amy (Justin) Canada; grandchildren, Kahner and Mackenzie Kirsh, Raegan and Reese Canada, Amie Thompson; former wife, Linda McCowan; cousins, Bill (Deborah) McCowan, Katherine (David) Johnson, Bill Braden; stepchildren, Wesley (Karen) Wankelman, Wyatt (Jill) Wankelman, and Hillary (Oscar) Hammond.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin, Sr. and Ann McCowan and his brother James McCowan.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 -7:00pm on Thursday, June 24th at Woody Funeral Home-Huguenot. His funeral service will be held at (10:00am on Saturday, June 26th at St. Matthias Episcopal Church, 11300 W. Huguenot Rd., Midlothian, VA 23113. He will be laid to rest in the St. Matthias Church garden following the service. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306.