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CHARLES COWGER Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for CHARLES COWGER
Sponsored by John K. Lee.
April 17, 2011
Dear Richard,
I was deeply saddened by Charles' passing. I had asked my nurse when his next appointment was only to find his obituary on line. As you know, Charles went out of his way to help us choose our piano at the Toon Shop in Prairie Village. He always made me copies of classical CDs that he gave me every time he visited the clinic. I will miss our conversations about the symphony and classical music in general...Im listening to Beethoven's Bagatelles, the last CD he gave him.
John K. Lee, M.D.
Mike Pener
April 2, 2011
Dear Richard, I happened upon the obituary for Charles and am so sad. I am sorry for not keeping in touch with you. Charles was a kind and charming person, and it was so pleasurable for Marlene and I to be with him and you. I will call. Mike Pener
Tom Eversole
June 1, 2010
Dear Richard,
I am so sorry to hear of Charles passing away. Was it this April?
I should have been more aware and kept in touch, but KU in April had me distracted. Please forgive me.
Your brother was such a delight, the
consummate gentleman, as you are also.
I consider it an honor to have know him and will always have fond memories of the good times and hospitality you both gave me when I came to service the piano.
Sincerely,
Tom
Charles and Nelle at Powell Gardens
Keith Harmon
April 19, 2010
April 17, 2010
Charles Cowger was a man who loved all that was beautiful in life; a bit of a boy in that way really, but he always reminded his friends of the wonderful things right in front of their noses that they seemed not to recognize. If an artist/craftsman believed in what they were doing than Charles was an enthusiast whether or not he completely understood the effort for the creative impulse inspired him. He was unselfish and sincere in complements and the few criticisms he uttered lacked equivalent passion. Like his brother Richard, Charles would drop everything to do a favor for a friend, even if it ruined his plans or put him in danger of disaster.
Because he seemed to like "everything" musically speaking he was suspected of lacking discernment, but that was not the case. The music that he loved the most and pursued as long as he could was the most complex; Russian piano compositions...Medtner, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, Prokofiev and on and on! The happiest times of his seniority were spent playing one piano four hand arrangements with his high school pal Caroline.
Charles also loved jazz and had spent countless nights in the best local venues with Nelle...the gal who remembers all the lyrics all the time!
The eaves of Charles' home are filled with tons of first editions of the literature of the twentieth century...many read several times. He was a literate man.
At one point several years ago Charles mentioned to me that he was a bit concerned whether he was upward bound or doomed for the warmer climate below.
I laughed at him and said if he didn't make it upstairs than we were all in big trouble! If you knocked on Charles' door he would open it with a smile and feed you whether stranger or friend. He gave his heart away time and time again and finally it could give no more.
"Charles Atlas Sisyphus" rolling boulder in Yosemite
April 14, 2010
Charles @ east entry to Yosemite Tioga Pass 9945' elev
April 14, 2010
Charles @ Awahnee Hotel by Steinway Piano, in Yosemite Valley
April 14, 2010
Charles @ The Godlen Gate Bridge
April 14, 2010
Charles, atop Yosemite's Glacier Point (over 7000' elev), with Half Dome (over 8800' elev) and Cloud's Rest (over 9900' elev) in the backgorund
Jim Hargis
April 14, 2010
Charles Sidney Cowger
Began Life on this Earth, April 16, 1929
Entered Eternal Life April 6, 2010
Our beloved Charles Cowger is here with us no more
He journeyed this life with zingy zest galore;
Charles Sidney, you walk with your true God on high,
We’ll join you one day, but for now, just goodbye.
We’ll follow the trails you blazed for us all,
We’ve nothing to fear, if we follow God’s call;
So, farewell, my dear brother, as you forever dwell,
With God and His angels, as “tall tales” you’ll still tell.
We’ll be listening to you all from the spiritual realm,
Play such sweet music, beside our Lord at the helm
You climbed many a mountain, adventured far and wide,
Wherever you went, you shared love by your side.
Your steps were very blessed, even when you did fall,
You just got right back up, and scaled bravely, each wall;
You’ve made that great leap to eternity, so bright,
You soared with the angels, vanished away from our sight,
You join Gant and Stanley, Katie and David, too,
Many aunts, pets, and uncles, will guide you to what’s new;
You’ll be with us forever, your spirit rises true,
So here’s to you, Charles S. Cowger, as God’s paradise awaits you!
May God’s love and peace surround you with eternal joy,
Masumi & Jim Hargis
Charles’ Flight
When you come to gigantic precipice of all light you think you know,
About to step off into some deep abyss and darkness way below,
Faith is simply believing and knowing one of two things will come by:
There’ll be firm earth to stand on, or you will be taught to fly.
There was once a mother eagle born so free and proud,
She flew high upon the wind, and all the creatures bowed;
“Confidence” her “middle name,” on the wing with unwavering glory,
She had so much us to tell, and this, her magnificent story.
She spread her wings and faced up toward the sky
In her radiant splendor, away did she fly;
She flew in the heavens, and o’er all earth below,
Gained wisdom from masters, so much she did know.
Nurtured all of her children, taught them how to soar,
Spread love and hope and courage, indeed so much more;
When things went all wrong, as they sometimes did,
She flew on the rainbows, her face, never hid.
She saw life as a challenge with many a twist and turn,
Failures grew to successes, she was eager to learn;
When tempted to quit or decide to give up,
She realized she was near the grand victor’s cup.
When her flight seemed so stressful and she was going oh so slow,
Thought she’d never get up there to see more sunrise glow;
Success and peace seem next to us, you can’t tell how close you are,
It’s all right here inside your heart, quite near, when it seems so far.
She flew so close to God, she actually saw His face,
She felt His loving touch, His mercy and His grace;
Loving arms stretched all around her, His hands upheld her wings,
He always flew beside her, she glimpsed the King of Kings.
This story is quite amazing, but it's as true as it can be
God loves and understands us all: the eagle, and you, and me;
His grace is all-sufficient for all creatures, young and old,
For the lonely and the timid, for the brave-hearted and the bold.
God’s love knows no exceptions, it’s for each and everyone
So never feel forgotten, your real life has just begun;
No matter who or what you are, no matter where you have been,
There’s room for all who heed the call, He’s made us all one kin.
Now in your grand adventures, trust God to understand,
No matter what your problems, place them in His merciful hand;
In all our unworthy self-centeredness, this God, He loves us still,
He’s loved us since the world began, and what's more, He always will!
Our eagle still flies extremely high, on the edge of a sunrise dream,
She’s a very special spirit, held in high majestic esteem;
Beautiful and magnificent, she overcomes obstacles she never knew,
Pettiness flees ‘neath her mighty wings, difficult heartbreaks, she slew.
Now when this all does come to pass, bold courage to carry on,
Is her gift and inspiration trailblazing us into new dawn
Of a creative exciting realm, where we’re all of one design,
Thank you, dear Charles, for gracing us, showing all, God’s light does shine!!
Masumi & Jim
HAPPY FOREVER, CHARLES
GOD SURELY LOVES YOU HAPPY SOULS,
WHO GO FORTH BRAVELY TOWARD ETERNAL GOALS,
NOW THAT YOUR WORK ON EARTH IS ALL DONE,
YOU MADE THIS GOOD LIFE A MUCH BETTER ONE.
YOU TURNED YOUR BACK ON SELFISH GREED,
IN GOD, FAMILY, FRIENDS, FOUND WHAT YOU NEED;
NO MATTER THE COLOR, SKIES BLUE OR GRAY,
YOU’RE BEACON OF LIGHT TO SHOW US THE WAY.
A FEW DAYS AGO OF THIS GLORIOUS YEAR,
IN FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE, GOD’S CALL YOU DID HEAR,
TO COME HOME TO HIS WARM AND LOVING EMBRACE,
TO FIND, IN HIM, YOUR MOST SPECIAL PLACE.
THOUGH SUFFERING A BIT OF LIFE’S BITTER PAIN,
YOU KNEW IN YOUR HEART GOD TRULY WILL REIGN,
SO WHEN YOU WERE CALLED TO HIS PEACE, AND BY NAME,
YOU GAVE UP YOUR LIFE, AND WILLINGLY CAME.
THEN, IN A MARVEL OF SUCH WONDER AND POWER,
YOU ROSE ABOVE PAIN, CONQUERING DEATH IN THAT HOUR;
MAJESTICALLY ROBED WITH YOUR RADIANT GLOW,
YOU NOW TRAVEL TRAILS THAT ONLY YOU KNOW.
WITH LOVING COMPASSION THAT YOU ALWAYS HAVE SHOWN,
FROM NOW ON, YOUR JOURNEYS WILL NOT BE ALONE;
FOR IN DEATH AND IN LIFE, YOU PROVED WE’RE ALL RELATED
GOD TREASURES YOU, CHARLES, AND BLESSES ALL YOU CREATED
TO OUR BELOVED CHARLES FROM MASUMI & JIM HARGIS
Vicki & Frank Neal
April 10, 2010
Rich,
Sorry to just hear about Charles, He will be missed by everyone that knew him. Frank and I will always rembemer the beautiful Christmas Trees and decorations and the time spent setting it all up.
You and Junior are in our prayers
Rick Belcher
April 10, 2010
A kind and loving man passed among us; we were blessed,
His essence burning brightly, focused sharply, quickening our individual soul,
The comfort of his presence,
The pleasure of his being,
Will surely depress, until, unless, and with no regret,
We resolve to abstain,
The tear of our loss and cry of our fear,
A sweet soul has passed among us,
We are blessed.
April 9, 2010
Richard,
There are so many great memories of Charles. Two stand out. The beautiful Christmas tree that lasted way into spring each year. The second is watching Charles walking around the block with your dog, his headphones on and a look of sheer contentment on his face. My family was honored to have been your neighbor for so many years and we will all miss him. Patty, Jim, Geoff & Jenn
Bettye Edenfield
April 9, 2010
Charles will be missed not only by me but the world as his presence made everyone feel better each day. His kind spirit was so special. Richard my heart is with you.
April 9, 2010
We were so sorry to learn of Charles' passing. He was one of the dearest, sweetest people we've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Our thoughts and prayers are with Richard and the Cowger family. May he rest in peace.
Jennifer, Scott and Griffin Ashe
J. Randy Henderson
April 8, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
David White
April 8, 2010
Dear Uncle Richard -- My thoughts and prayers are with you. Uncle Charles was a very kind soul and he will be missed.
Sincerely,
David White
Perry Henderson
April 8, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. The Henderson family has such fond memories of Charles. We will always cherish the good times spent in your home.
The Henderson Family
April 8, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
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