Kern County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....Cowen, Donald LeRoy September 12 2004
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
K T bluewolf@onemain.com September 16, 2004, 3:38 pm

The Bakersfield Californian 
Donald LeRoy Cowen
5/28/1933 09/12/2004

Services for Don Cowen, 71, will be held on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in the Mish 
Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Pat Roberts of Odyssey Hospice officiating. 

Don passed away early on Sunday due to heart failure. He was born May 28, 1933 
in Uehling, Nebraska and grew up in the Omaha area where he resided with his 
mother, Ruth Alta Larson Cowen who died when he was 10 years old. He was then 
raised by his aunt and uncle, Eddie and Ethel Peterson along with their sons, 
Willard and Richard. His grandparents, Andrew and Mary Larson were immigrants 
from Sweden. Don served in the Marine Corps as a Military Policeman from 1954 
to 1957 during the Korean Conflict. After his discharge, he came to California 
in the late 50s and reunited with his brother, Russell Dean Cowen and his 
father, Clyde Henry Cowen, both of whom died in the 60s. In 1958, he began 
working for Cecil and Helen Tibbs at the Tibbs School for Dogs on Stockdale 
Hwy. There he learned to train bird dogs for hunting and other dogs for 
obedience. He later became the owner and changed the name to Cowens Kennels. 
He served over 2500 customers loyally for over 45 years, taking care of their 
dogs and cats. He truly loved the people and the animals. He sold the business 
and retired in June 2003. 

Don is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Anita Jo Keith Cowen, his son, 
Darrell, Marie, and Samantha all of Bakersfield, his mother-in-law, Esther 
Keith, of Bakersfield, his brother-in-law and his wife, Jon and Kay Keith of 
Bakersfield, his sister-in-law and her husband, Mary and Henry Sullivan of Mt. 
Mesa, 5 nephews, Jeff Cowen of Ukiah, David and Paul Keith of Bakersfield, 
Mike and Brian Sullivan of Mt. Mesa and a niece, Tina Sullivan of Santa Maria.

Mr. Cowen was a good-natured, easy-going type of person who always had a good 
word for everyone, a good sense of humor and had good rapport with the animals 
he trained and cared for. He once commented that he took care of 2 leopards 
that were easier to deal with than some dogs. He collected all kinds of canes 
and had over 100 of them, one with a warning horn and rear-view mirror. He 
also loved westerns, especially those with John Wayne. His favorite song that 
he shared with his wife was Look at Us by Vince Gill. Mr. Cowen bore a 
remarkable resemblance to Jack Nicklaus, the golfer, and when on occasion, he 
wore a golf shirt, people on the street would give him a double look. He loved 
wildlife and had a collection of wildlife pictures from eagles to deer. His 
many loyal and loving friends and family will miss him greatly. He was a 
unique person and a true gem. 


Additional Comments:
Volunteer submission - No relation to deceased.

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