Lieutenant Colonel David Allen Cowden USAF Regular Component in retired status died in Fayetteville, AR on June 27, 2024 at age 93.

Colonel Cowden was born on the 7th of June, 1931 in Hope, AR to E.E. Cowden of Horatio, AR and Gretchen Allen of Little Rock/Van Buren.

Colonel Cowden graduated from Robinson Township High School in Illinois. He had advanced degrees from both University of Arkansas and the Air Force Institute of Technology. He was a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College and Military Assistance Institute. He served his country in many diverse worldwide assignments over a 21 year United States Air Force Career.

David served his country well and his family always. He was the last to go to sleep at night because he was checking that doors were locked and windows secured, checking the perimeter to keep his family safe. No matter what, our father stepped up to the plate, in uniform or out. The well being, health and safety of his family was paramount and everything he did was towards this goal. He loved visits with his children and grandchildren, feeding and watching the birds, while sitting on the porch with a cold glass of the world’s best sweet tea in hand, which he had just made.

He is survived by daughter Gretchen Ewen (Cowden) and husband Dr. Charles Ewen; Melissa Drake Johnson (Cowden); David Allen Cowden, Jr. and wife Angie; Patrick McGee Cowden and wife Maria; Julie Starbird (Cowden) and husband Neal; grandchildren Gretchen Berry, Kathryn Acevedo and husband Justin, and Madeline Ewen; Emily Elaine Johnson, Fletcher and Spencer Cowden; and Jacob Cowden and wife Ana, Sarah Francis (Cowden) and husband Chandler; great-

grandchildren, Ethan Scallorn and Rilla Francis; sister-in-law Linda Beene Ballard; and adoptions of the heart Amber Kandur and Dan Wallace.

David was predeceased by his parents, his wife of 61 years Doris Ann Hughes, sister Mary Jane Graham and nephew Blair Graham, and sister-in-law Julia Hughes Jones.

Colonel and Mrs. Cowden will be interred together in the Fayetteville National Cemetery.  There will be a celebration of their lives at a later date to be determined for family and close friends.