Obituary for Arnold Cowen

Arnold Calvert Cowen

February 27, 1931 – January 10, 2021

Arnold Calvert Cowen, 89, passed Sunday, Jan. 10th, 2021. He has been a long-time resident of Perry, Oklahoma. His passing was a result of COVID 19 complications. His care is under the direction of Trout Funeral Home of Perry.

Arnold was the only son of David and Agnes Cowen, New Jersey. He was born on Feb. 27th, 1931 in New York City, New York. Agnes was unable to raise Arnold and gave him up for adoption. He spent his childhood in an orphanage in New Jersey. Arnold was never adopted. He attended various schools and graduated from Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 1949.
Upon graduation Arnold enlisted into the United States Army on June 27th, 1949. Arnold’s most significant duty assignment was in Fairbanks, Alaska. He served his country for four years earning credits in Signal School and Micro Wave operator and Radio Repair tech. He completed his enlistment on Dec. 2nd, 1952.

He married his first wife Lillian McKelvey after being discharged from the Army in 1952. They lived in Jersey City, New Jersey where they had their only child, Carol Ann Cowen, April 7, 1955. Arnold attended Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, New Jersey while working and supporting his family. He would earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering in 1959. He would later earn a Master’s Degree from Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey while working for South Bell Phone company.

Having differences and at odds, Arnold and Lillian divorced in 1999. He then met and fell in love with a woman in Perry, Oklahoma, Janice Marie Manley Stockwell. The couple married on Nov. 30th, 2004 and made Perry their home for only 8 years before Janice died from complications of Diabetes on July 3, 2012.

Those 8 years were some of the best of Arnold’s life. He was able to move his adult daughter here to Perry to live close by so he could watch over her. He and Janice were able to fulfill their life long goals to travel, take cruises and see the world and all its wonder. He volunteered at the Wheatheart Nutrition Site. He loved playing his harmonica up and down the halls of Perry Memorial Hospital and Green Valley Nursing home. He loved to sing at local churches and public events. He was a member of the local military flag corps in Perry. Arnold never passed up a chance to volunteer and help others.

Arnold was lost after Janice passed and seemed to stray. He had a membership with various churches in and around Perry never being quite content to “settle”. However, his faith was strong and he never quit believing in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was a strong Christian with a strong faith but he was a man with some flaws and as all men and women do, we sin. But he never lost his faith and while incarcerated Arnold still attend services and brought others to learn about God and His Holy word. That was Arnold’s life work, trying to spread God’s word. Although not perfect he strived to overcome his weaknesses and do God’s work.

Arnold is preceded in death by his mother, father, his ex-wife and his wife. He is survived by two stepchildren, numerous step grandchildren and great step grandchildren. His services will be held at Trout Funeral Home of Perry on Friday, January 15th at 10 a.m. with Graveside services to follow at Grace Hill Cemetery, Perry, Oklahoma.

We invite you to leave a message of condolence, expression of sympathy or perhaps share a memory of Arnold at www.troutperry.com.

Source: Trout Funeral Home