Rickey E. Cowden

Rickey Eugene Cowden was born on June 22, 1952, in St. Joseph, Missouri. Many knew him by his nickname Shadow, and he also went by Red. At a very early age at a very different time, he was handed $20 and told to “Have a good life!”  Rick tried to do just that.

Rick served as a Sea Bee in the Navy during the Vietnam War.  After his service overseas ended Rick returned to his wife and child where he continued with the reserve. During his life he worked many jobs, mostly for cartage companies like Bekins Van Lines and Brown Transfer and Storage.

He enjoyed motorcycles, muscle cars, country music, classic westerns, military-type productions, and the outdoors. During the 1980s Mr. Cowden built a log raft and then floated the Nodaway River alone with nothing but essentials. Throughout his service with the Navy Reserve he would refurbish toys for children around the holidays. Even at 68 he was very active and fit even still running at times.

Mr. Cowden was found deceased in his apartment located in St. Joseph, Missouri on July 7, 2020.  He passed away while relaxing on his couch watching “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” one of his favorites.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Gayle Milton Cowden and his father, Jackie Milton Cowden. Rick’s grandmother Cleo Della Younger was an active member of her community until she passed in 2001. Rick’s mother Hazel Myers passed away in 2005. Hazel remarried Elmer Hale who took on the role of father for the three brothers.

Rick Cowden is survived by his only son, Rickey EE Cowden, and his older brother Jackie Lee Cowden and younger brother Teddy Dean Cowden. He has five grandchildren and several great grandchildren. Mr. Cowden was married twice, to Cheryl Harr Fountain and Judith Penland.

Graveside services and inurnment with military honors: Friday, July 30, 2021, 3:00 pm, Maitland Cemetery, Maitland, Missouri. Memorials may be made to Substance Abuse Treatment at the Eisenhower VA Medical Center, Voluntary Service Office, 4101 S 4th St, Leavenworth, KS 66048, or for debit or credit card donations call (913) 682-2000 ext. 52017 or 1-800-952-8387 ext. 52017