LORDSTOWN — Raymond A. Cowie, of Lordstown, a minister and servant of God, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, at Trumbull Regional Medical Center, with his loving family by his side.
He was born on Oct. 17, 1936, at home on Marion Hill, in New Brighton, Pa., to Gerald Robert and Margaret Elizabeth Shoaff Cowie.
Raymond graduated from Beaver Falls High School in May 1954 at the age of 17. On Oct. 18, 1954, one day after he turned 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant in two years and received an honorable discharge, after serving three years, having served as a tank Commander, Platoon Sergeant and Scout Platoon Leader with the 4th Armored Division in Fort Hood, Texas.
Raymond married his teenage sweetheart, Joann Shellenberger on Jan. 6, 1955; and they enjoyed 61 years of blessed marriage together before Joann passed away on May 29, 2016. After Joann’s passing, he married his present soul mate, Kathie Roush, in a private ceremony on Jan. 12, 2017. They reaffirmed their vows in the presence of their families and friends at College Hill Uanited Methodist Church, Beaver Falls, Pa., on June 3, 2017.
Raymond had lived in Newton Falls since April 1969 and was formerly of North Sewickley Township, Beaver Falls, Pa. He and Kathie moved to Lordstown in November 2017. He was employed 28 years in the insurance industry. He was an agent with Monumental Life Insurance Company, for 19 years and an agent with Nationwide Insurance, for nine years. He was employed by YPS Integrated System, Warren, Ohio, retiring in 2012, at the age of 76, as central station manager, with 22 years of service.
Raymond was born again on April 13, 1978, at 2:35 p.m., having received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior by the leading of a friend, Pastor Howard Duma. Raymond was currently attending Harvest Point Church, Lordstown. He also was an ordained minister with the Akron Bible Church. He served as pastor for The Community Bible Church on Quarry Street, Newton Falls, for over seven years. He ministered several years with the Way Out Prison Ministry of Akron. He was the founding director and chaplain of His Hands Extended Prison Ministry. He ministered in the Trumbull County Adult Correctional Center, the Trumbull County Juvenile Justice Center and in many Ohio state prisons. He also served several years as police chaplain for the Newton Falls Police Department. Raymond enjoyed serving the Lord, studying the Scriptures, fishing, gardening and spending time with his family.
Memories of Raymond will be carried on by his loving family, daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Gary Hudson of Oak Island, N.C.; his son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Donna Cowie of Newton Falls; his grandsons, Zachary Hudson and his fiancee, Katie Reband of Oak Island, N.C., Bryan and Jessica Cowie and Payson and Holly Cowie, all of Austintown; great-grandson, Finn Hudson of Oak Island, N.C.; great-grandson, Everis Cowie; and great-granddaughter, Livie Cowie of Austintown; his foster sister, Ella Mae, and husband, William “Bill” Boswell of Beaver Falls, Pa.; stepsons, David and Jackie Roush of Basingstoke, England, and Jeff Roush of Beaver Falls, Pa.; stepgrandchildren, Brittany Roush and Adam Cathcart, Emma and Luke Phillips of Basingstoke, England, Stephanie and Matt Cornelius of Pittsburgh, Pa., Jeremy Roush of Warren and Shawn Rush of Ohio; and stepgreat-grandchildren, Marlee Mae Roush of Tennessee, Darcy Cathcart and Ivy Phillips of Basingstoke, England, and Julian Rush of Ohio.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald Robert and Margaret Elizabeth Shoaff Cowie; his sisters, Martha Faye Nye and Mary Margaret Watson; brothers, Thomas Lewis Cowie, Gerald Robert Cowie Jr. and David William Cowie; and stepson, Bob Roush.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, at the James Funeral Home in Newton Falls, with Pastor David Cross. Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, 2022 and also 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, before the funeral service, at the funeral home. Cremation will follow the funeral service.
Ray will be laid to rest beside his first wife, Joann at Newton Falls Cemetery. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, all contributions go to His Hands Extended Ministry, P.O. Box 107, Warren, OH 44482.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the James Funeral Home, 8 E. Broad St., Newton Falls, OH 44444. Family and friends may view Ray’s obituary online or to send condolences, please visit us at www.james
funeralhomeinc.com
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