87S31537 JGH-D
By: Craddick H.C.R. No. 17
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Family and friends will forever treasure their
memories of James Coley Cowden, who died on September 1, 2021, at
the age of 78; and
WHEREAS, The descendant of a pioneering ranching family,
Coley Cowden was born in Midland on September 11, 1942, to Allen and
Olive Cowden, and he grew up with a sister, Emma Sue; he shared a
rewarding marriage with his wife, the former Jeanie Tunstill, that
spanned five and a half decades, and he was the proud father of
three children, Christy, James, and Allen; with the passing years,
he had the pleasure of seeing his family grow to include 10
grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cowden graduated from Midland High School and
continued his education at The University of Texas at Austin, where
he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity; he went on to enjoy a
diverse and dynamic career in ranching, banking, and the petroleum
industry, and in all his endeavors, he was known and respected for
his honest and forthright manner; and
WHEREAS, A public-spirited citizen, Mr. Cowden was appointed
by Governor William Clements to the Texas Commission on Alcohol and
Drug Abuse and by Speaker Tom Craddick to the Texas State Cemetery
Committee under Governor Rick Perry; he also served as president of
The University of Texas Parents Association, as chair of the Palmer
Drug Abuse Program in Midland, as board president of the Racquet
Club of Midland, as a trustee of Trinity School of Midland, and as a
director of Texas American Bank; a man of strong religious
conviction, he was an inspiring and deeply knowledgeable Bible
study teacher; and
WHEREAS, A proud son of Midland, Coley Cowden lived a rich and
purposeful life devoted to his family, his faith, and his
community, and he leaves behind a legacy that will long be admired
by all those who were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas,
3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the memory of James Coley
Cowden and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family:
to his wife, Jeanie Cowden; to his children, Christy Cowden Little,
James Coley Cowden Jr. and his wife, Heidi, and Allen Tunstill
Cowden and his wife, Kristin; to his grandchildren, Jake and Olivia
Little, Marilee, Clara Grace, Coley, Coulter, and Adelaide Cowden,
and Jack, Luke, and Lucy Cowden; and to his other relatives and many
friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
James Coley Cowden.