Charles Henry Cowen Jr.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 6, at 11 a.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church, 101 Live Oak Drive, Lafayette, for Charles Henry Cowen Jr., 80, who passed away peacefully at his residence Saturday, April 2, 2016.
Rev. Richard Humphries, senior pastor of the Asbury United Methodist Church, will officiate for the services. The family requests visiting hours Wednesday from 9 a.m. to service time at Asbury United Methodist Church.
Burial will be in Woodlawn Mausoleum in Crowley.
Henry, affectionately known as Sonny Boy, was born in Shreveport. After a brief time, his father returned to Midland to farm the family rice land. Henry graduated from college at SLI in Lafayette, now known as ULL. He joined the United States Air Force as a captain, where he learned to fly. He was stationed in Port Isabelle, Texas, until he was honorably discharged. He continued to fly as a commercial pilot for the next several years.
Henry farmed the same land with his father until he left to start his own business building rice bins. He later became involved in making rice bags and started his own company known as Cowen Bag Company. After “retiring,” he spent the next 25 years as a broker, selling the same bags that he made for 15 years, but without the headache of running the bag plant.
Henry and Terry were active members of Cypremort Yacht Club for more than 30 years and enjoyed many weekends sailing with their friends. During that time, he served as Harbor Master for several years. Henry and Terry made several trips across the Gulf of Mexico from Panama City, Florida, to Brownsville, Texas, and competed in dozens of sailboat races. Henry took an opportunity of a lifetime when he made a six-week trans-Atlantic crossing from Miami to Plymouth, England.
He had many other varied talents and interests, including playing guitar, woodworking, hunting, fishing, computer gadgetry, spending time with family and friends, and traveling. He and Terry took several trips abroad, ranging from Europe, Russia, New Zealand and Costa Rica. They also took European ocean and river cruises with his sister and brother.
Henry is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Terry Jeansonne Cowen of Lafayette; one daughter, Julie Cowen Portmann and husband Helmut of Covington; two sons, Hank Cowen and wife Jan of Lafayette, Dr. Todd Cowen and wife Ashley of Thibodaux; six grandchildren, Caitlin Cowen, Natalie Cowen, Emily Cowen, Max Cowen, Alex Portman and Jackson Bein. He had the added benefit of having three step-sons, Lawrence G. Pugh III and wife Nina of New Orleans, Scott Pugh and wife Anne of Slidell and John Pugh of Miami; six step-grandchildren, Charlotte Pugh, Philip Pugh, William Pugh, Jackson Pugh, Madeliene Pugh and Christian Pugh, along with his siblings Margaret Anne Boone and Johnny Cowen.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Henry Cowen Sr. and Sadie Helen Dawson Cowen.
Pallbearers will be Max Cowen, Helmut Portmann, Lawrence G. Pugh III, Scott Pugh, John Pugh, and Albert “Butch” Leger. Honorary pallbearers will be Judge Don Aaron Jr., Dr. C. Richard Bier and Judge John Duhe.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Acadiana or Asbury United Methodist Church in Lafayette.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Acadiana and the caregivers of Griswold Home Care. We also express appreciation to Dr. Gene Brierre for his many yers of care and support.
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.geesey-ferguson.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home, 301 North Avenue F, Crowley, LA 70526, 337-783-3313.