Jack Cowen Jr.

Jack F Cowen, 87, of Rockport, TX passed away Sunday, January 12, 2025, leaving behind a loving wife and family and countless friends.

Jack is preceded in death by his father Jack F Cowen, Sr and mother, Ila Mae Adams Cowen. He is survived by his wife Ruth H Cowen, daughter Laura Hausman (David), daughter Rebecca Cowen, son Henry Cowen (Loretta). He was Papa to grandchildren Hope, Hannah and Henry (Grace) Hausman, Cooper, Brandon and Evan Farnand, Alix and River Cowen. Great grandchildren, Christopher, Brandon, Savanah, Dylan, Robert and Alexander. And Great great grandchildren, Elena, Lani and Isaac.

Born on August 8, 1937, in Austin, TX, Jack grew up in South Austin, playing baseball and swimming. Playing in the first Little League World Series, traveling by train to Williamsport, Penn. He spent his teenage years lifeguarding at Barton Springs and fishing on Onion Creek with his lifelong friend Fred Denson. He attended the University of Texas at Austin on a swimming scholarship. He met his wife, Ruth (from the north side of the river) in line registering for classes. They were soon married and began their life first in Pensacola Florida and Memphis Tennessee where Jack was a naval officer attending law school at night.

In 1970 the young family moved to Santa Fe, NM. Where they bought an old apple orchard in Tesuque. Jack immediately became involved in the community, ordered seeds from the Burpee seed catalog, trying his hand at organic gardening with an old Alice Chalmer tractor. Ruth turned the old chicken coop into a guest house. Jack had a long career as an attorney and banker in Santa Fe. He and Ruth forged a wonderful life in the city different; involved with their children in soccer, skiing, and various community activities.

Jack had a myriad of friends and interests. He was a lifelong learner and knew something about a wide range of topics. He took early retirement and in his mid-50’s “Gringo Jack” embarked on a journey thru Mexico in his Volkswagen van to learn to speak better Spanish. Ruth soon followed and the 2 had many wonderful adventures kayaking and camping throughout Mexico and the Northwestern US where his daughter, Rebecca settled with her family.

Jack loved airplanes and boats. In the early 90’s they decided to learn to sail and moved to Rockport. First living on a boat and later, Ruth drew up the plans and Jack built their final home with the help of his friends, Bill Kirmse and Bill Walters in Rockport Texas.

In South Texas Jack spent his time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Coaching little league, and attending local ball games teaching them to throw, fly kites, tie sailors’ knots and fish.

We want to especially thank Lorena Rubio for her love and support. Thru strength and good humor Lorena kept dad in line and he would wait with anticipation for her to make him his favorite breakfast and the opportunity to talk and hear the latest news.

Jack was the quintessential storyteller and loved a good joke. It was a great ride! We will always remember old ‘number 42’.

Please join us for a celebration of Jack’s life Saturday, February 1, 2-4:30 pm at the Rockport Country Club. For our New Mexico friends, we are planning a celebration of life for this spring in Santa Fe.