In loving memory of John Cowan

We celebrate the life and legacy of John Edward (Flukie) Cowan, which began on September 27, 1945. He was third of six children born to the union of Reverend William Cowan and Mrs. Susie Lee (McCall) Cowan. John was baptized at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church. He was later confirmed at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, where he served diligently and faithfully as the President of the Board of Elders.  Almighty God was his first love.

John graduated from Lincoln Senior High School in the class of 1963.  He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics at Sangamon State University in Illinois and pursued his master’s degree.  Organizations included Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Lambda Chapter (spring, 1987), where he held various offices.

John was employed by McDonnell Douglas Corporation and many local proprietorships prior to his 33 years of meritorious service with the State of Illinois. Before retiring from the State of Illinois Department of Rehabilitation, John pursued entrepreneurial ventures including Bio-Behavioral Medicine, Cowan & Cowan Behavioral Health Consulting, and Flukie’s Place, where everybody was a celebrity! 

A highly decorated Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, John achieved the rank of Lance Corporal.  As a result of his services during Vietnam, he received numerous honors including the Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Those who knew John can speak of his strength of character, hard work, family values and extraordinary wisdom. He married the love of his life, Ms. Karen Michele Sistrunk, on May 27, 1987.  He was the proud father of four children, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. 

John was preceded in death by his parents. His three brothers, James (J.W.), Aaron (Townsend) and Otis also preceded him into eternal rest. He leaves to mourn his loving and devoted wife, Karen Michele (Sistrunk) Cowan, M.D., his children Tamura Fisher (Forrest), Paul Lovelace (Maxine), Toijuan Bell (Hilda) and Tiffany Joy Walehwa.  He was the proud grandfather to six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.  He will be dearly missed by his two sisters, Darlean Cowan King (Richard) and Patricia Renee Cowan, and a host of family and friends.

Two visitation services will be held. The first will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday, May 5 at Officer Funeral Home, 2114 Missouri Ave., East St. Louis, IL. A second visitation service will be held 8:45-10:45 a.m. Friday, May 6 at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, 5402 Wren Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63120, to be followed immediately by the home-going service of Mr. John Cowan at 11 a.m.