Terry Henry Cowan

Mr. Terry Henry Cowan, age 78, of Dalton, Georgia, passed away on Saturday, August 2, 2025.

Terry was born on Saturday, October 5, 1946, in Belmont, North Carolina, to the late Mr. Henry Ward Cowan and the late Mrs. Bertha Viola Smith Cowan.

Terry graduated from Horace Mann High School in Gary, Indiana, before going on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Terry lived a full and abundant life. In addition to Gary, Indiana, Terry lived in Chicago, Illinois, Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Ringgold, Georgia, before settling in Dalton, Georgia. He spent his career in the chemical field, working for Velsicol Chemical Corporation, Franklin Industrial Minerals, and for Amoco Oil, where he worked as an analytical chemist.  After retirement, he also was a substitute teacher for many science classes at several local high schools because he enjoyed sharing his love of science with the students.

Terry served his country proudly in the United States Army in the 4th Infantry Division. He fought in the Vietnam War, for which he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars as well as the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. He was further awarded the U.S. Army Expert Rifle Badge, an award which signifies achievement of the highest level of marksmanship.

Terry was very active in a number of clubs and organizations throughout his life and had several hobbies and passions as well. He belonged to the American Chemical Society (ACS), the Chicago Whitewater Association (CWA), and the Boy Scouts of America. He loved kayaking, camping, music, cooking, and reading. He also enjoyed marksmanship and loved animals. He was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Dalton.

Terry is preceded in death by his parents, Henry Ward Cowan and Bertha Viola Smith Cowan.

He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Joyce Dale Lamb, whom he married on Saturday, May 6, 1989.

Terry is also survived by his son, Robert Mason (Valrie) Cowan, and his daughter, Julianna Kathryn (Lee Alan) Butler; his grandchildren, Avery Laine Cowan, Paxton Reece Cowan, Abigail Paige Cowan, Steven Henry (Patience) DiGanci, Kayte Gail DiGanci, and Anna Grace Butler; and his great-grandson, Warren Jay DiGanci.

Terry is also survived by his sister, Teena (Charles) Weitze, as well as a plethora of extended family members.

Funeral services to honor and celebrate Terry's life will be conducted on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. in the Sanctuary of Christ the King Lutheran Church with the Rev. Dr. Brian Clark officiating. Terry will be laid to rest after the service at the Chattanooga National Cemetery with Military Honors rendered by the American Legion Post no. 112.

Terry's family will receive friends for visitation on Tuesday evening, August 5, 2025, from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., at Love Funeral Home.

In addition to flowers, Terry's family suggests that memorial donations can be made in his name to Disabled American Veterans (click link below to donate).

Condolences and messages of sympathy may be expressed for Terry's family using Love Funeral Home's online register book.

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