of Chelsea, MI formerly of Cleveland, OH, Clarkston, MI, and Bradenton, FL, age 87, died Monday, February 3, 2014 at the Chelsea Retirement Community. He was born August 12, 1926 in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, the son of James and Ethel (McBride) Cowen.

   Jim was a member of the Community Presbyterian Church in Drayton Plains, Westminster Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor, and Palma Sola Presbyterian Church in Bradenton, FL. He was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. Jim was a Senior Engineer, Account Manager, and Plant Superintendent while working for General Motors and Rockwell International, and was a lifetime member of the Society of Automotive Engineers. Jim was an Aviation Cadet in the US Navy Reserves during WWII.
  
   On July 17, 1948, he married Barbara L. Krem in Waterford, MI, and she survives. Other survivors include two sons, Dr. Mark (Ginny) Cowen of Chelsea, Eric (Tami) Cowen of Dexter; a daughter, Elizabeth Cowen of Dexter; eight grandchildren, Joshua (Jocelyn) Cowen, Stephen (Jennifer) Cowen, David Cowen, Caroline Cowen, Laura (Andy) Imdieke, John (Becky) Cowen, Anne Cowen, and Jenny (Mike) Rodgers; nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Doris (Jack) McElwain of FL; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Phil in 1984.

   Funeral services were held Friday, 11:00 am at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1500 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103 with Rev. Stephen Carl officiating.  Private burial at Oak Grove East Cemetery in Chelsea.  The family received friends at Cole Funeral Chapel Thursday, from 5-7pm.  Memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1500 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 or Palma Sola Presbyterian Church, 6510 3rd Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34209.

Please sign Jim's online guestbook and leave a message or memory for his family.