Richard "Dick" Cowart

COWART, Richard Miles

"Dick"

Our loving husband, father, and grandfather, Richard "Dick" Miles Cowart walked into eternity with our Lord and Savior, Jesus, on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. He recently celebrated his 82nd birthday.

Dick was born in Orlando, Florida to Rudy and Beverly Cowart on August 20, 1942. The family welcomed their second son, Randy, on September 13, 1946. Dick lived his early years in Orlando prior to moving to Savannah, Georgia. He loved Savannah and spoke fondly of his time there. His family eventually settled in Daytona Beach, where he graduated from Seabreeze High School in 1960. He began his college education at Daytona Beach Community College prior to enlisting in the United States Army in 1963 on the "Buddy System" beside his lifelong friend, Dean Cady.

Aspiring to further his career, Dick entered O.C.S. to become a commissioned officer. He would go on to flight school at Ft. Rucker, where he received his training to become a helicopter pilot, including training as a paratrooper. After entering Vietnam in February 1967, with a rank of Captain, Dick flew combat and medical rescue missions until February 1968. He received several recognitions, a few being the Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Vietnam Gallantry Cross for Bravery.

Upon returning from Vietnam, he met the love of his life, Donna Draughon, when he was stationed in Savannah at Hunter Army Airfield. They were married a year later on June 21, 1969 in Atlanta, Georgia. After leaving the Army in 1970, Dick and Donna moved to Florida, where Donna gave birth to two sons, Chad in 1976 and Dax in 1980. During this time, Dick began a new career in residential construction. He returned to civil aviation in 1980, where he flew helicopters for oil rigs in Louisiana, a level one trauma hospital in Jacksonville, and a cardiac unit at Advent Health in Orlando. Dick became an entrepreneur in the early 90s when he partnered to buy and operate an air freight business in Miami. Afterward, he returned to Port Orange, Florida and launched his commercial construction and development business in 2004. The company grew over the next 20 years as he built multiple flex warehouse projects. His dream of passing along his business legacy became a reality a couple of years ago when his eldest son, Chad, joined the company. Dick loved construction and worked every day until his passing.

Dick was predeceased by his parents and brother. Dick is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Donna; his two sons, Chad and wife, Jenni, Dax and his wife, Leslie; and four grandchildren, Caden (17), Palmer (15), Colsen (13), and Adelyn (10). A Visitation will be held at 10:00 AM with a Service to follow at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the First Baptist Church of Daytona Beach, where Dick and Donna have been members for many wonderful years, 10 First Baptist Parkway, Daytona Beach, FL 32124. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or your favorite charity.