Barry L. Cowing

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Barry Lawrence Cowing, 74, of Tucson died Nov. 18, 2009, in Tucson.

He was born Sept. 28, 1935, in Bangor, Maine, and grew up in Hallowell, Maine. Prior to moving to Tucson in 2003, he had lived in Cheyenne, Wyo., since 1962.

Barry retired from the Wyoming Air National Guard in 1988 after a total of 35 years of dedicated military service. His military career began at the age of 17 with the Naval Reserves but was later released from the Reserves to go on active duty with the Air Force in 1953, where he served until his discharge in 1962. Barry joined the Wyoming Air National Guard in 1963 as a flight traffic specialist/loadmaster, and became first sergeant with the Aerial Port Section in 1972. He became Aerial Port superintendent in 1982, a position he held until his retirement. His rank at the time of retirement was senior master sergeant.

Barry was a graduate of the University of Wyoming, having earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in education. He taught in the Cheyenne public schools from 1965 to 1971, as a classroom teacher and then as an educational specialist in the Educational Diagnostic and Planning Center. He then joined the Wyoming State Department of Education as the veterans' education consultant and also served as the department's private school licensing consultant and director of the Johnson-O'Malley program. Berry retired from the Wyoming Education Department in 1992 but returned to work on a part-time basis from 1995 to 1997 as the state's veterans education consultant under the direction of the Adjutant General's Office of the Wyoming National Guard.

Barry was a member of Catalina United Methodist Church of Tucson, Tucson American Legion Post 36 and Air Force Sergeants Association.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn (Sedivy) Cowing, of Tucson, whom he married Oct. 10, 1981; sons Peter Cowing, of Cheyenne, and John Cowing, of Pocahantas, Tenn.; grandchildren Erica and Logan Cowing, of North Plains, Ore.; brother and sister-in-law Michael and Judy Madden, of Hallowell; brother David Madden, of Sweetwater, Tenn.; sister-in-law, Joyce Cowing, of Weeks Mills, Maine; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Ruth and Clarence Madden; his father and stepmother, Cecil and Mildred Cowing; brother Duane Cowing; and son Sam Cowing.

Memorial contributions may be made in Barry's name to a charity of your choice. In accordance with his wishes, no service will be held. Arrangements by Bring's Broadway Chapel, 6910 East Broadway. 7148209