James William Cowan passed away at Channel Point Village in Hoquiam on Feb. 2, 2025 at the age of 93. He was born on Aug. 9, 1931, in Portland, Oregon to parents Robert Elisha Cowan and Edith Winnifred (McGuire) Cowan. He was a 1950 graduate of Weatherwax High School in Aberdeen and served in the United States Army in Germany during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954. On Dec. 10, 1954, he married Barbara Ileene Shedd in Aberdeen. He worked for the Grays Harbor Paper Mill in Hoquiam for over 30 years before retiring at the age of 55, which allowed him to pursue his many passions including beekeeping, trapping, hunting, and woodworking.

Shortly after marrying, Jim and Barb settled on Monroe Street in Hoquiam and started a family with their daughter Mickey before purchasing their first home in Aberdeen on Holman Street in the late 1950s. Barb and Jim grew their family with two sons, Corey and then Brett, shortly after. Despite often working the night shift, Jim found the time to make a home for his family. He built a new addition onto their garage and built a huge swing set for the kids out of stripped tree trunks. Many memories and lasting friendships were made at the house on Holman Street. In 1967, Jim and Barb moved their family to their home on Perry Street, where they would remain for the rest of their lives.

Jim was a lifelong learner and over his lifetime taught himself many new skills. He began beekeeping at an early age and was well known throughout Grays Harbor as the “Bee Man.” He learned how to make the hives and frames himself and placed them at locations all around Grays Harbor. Each summer he looked forward to heading out to “check the hives” which also meant getting to visit with the people at each house where a hive was located. Their home became known as “the house on Perry Street with honey” after he began selling honey out of a small cabinet he crafted into the side of his house. All sales were on the honor system and he rarely had a theft. He would often gift Barb with a trip to Reno or another treat with his “honey money.” He made many lifelong friends throughout the county through his beekeeping hobby and was featured in The Daily World several times for his work removing swarms of bees.

When Jim was in his early 30s he visited the library and found a book on how to make violins. He proceeded to teach himself to make several violins, four mandolins, a ukulele and one guitar, and then taught himself how to play by ear. He said that not only did it have to look good, but it also had to sound good too.

Jim also learned how to trap and hunt game at an early age, and during the fall and winter would often be out and about hunting or checking traps. His children and grandchildren grew used to the many animal carcasses he would bring home and would often play dress-up in the furs he tanned himself. Jim had a close friendship with local author and renowned hunter Ralph Flowers and took great pride in the memories they shared. Last year, Jim was inducted into the Washington State Trappers Association Hall of Fame.

Jim’s passion for the outdoors extended to the flora and fauna as well. On road trips or visits to check hives, he would often quiz family members about the species of plant or tree. He took pride in passing along his knowledge to his children and grandchildren whenever he could. He loved growing vegetables, and he replaced all the landscaping around their house with corn, beans, tomatoes and strawberries.

Jim was also an artist. He would frequently make sketches of his family or friends and even wildlife. He was also a poet; a skill that was passed along by his father and Jim passed along to his son Corey. He wrote many beautiful poems throughout his life and enjoyed reading poetry by Robert W. Service. He could recite most of The Cremation of Sam McGee by memory, a skill that many in the family tried to compete with but never won.

Many who knew Jim were aware that he had a unique sense of humor. His grandchildren began calling it “Cowan humor” after they realized that everyone in the family shared Jim’s sense of humor. Coworkers from the paper mill would often recall pranks he played on them and enjoyed retelling them at their frequent reunion lunches. He had a tradition of doing magic tricks for all the kids in the family and the neighbor kids. He also loved telling stories and jokes. During the summers when school was out, many of the neighbor kids would congregate at the Cowan house in search of entertainment. They were sure to find it as Mr. C was always ready to play a new joke, a brain teaser, a game of cards, or even a basketball game. He also took every one of his kids, grandkids, and many of the neighbors on a snipe-hunting trip over the years.

Jim is survived by his daughter, Mickey Thurman of Hoquiam; sons Corey Cowan of Auburn and Brett (Maureen) Cowan of Union, granddaughter Alissa (Brian) Shay, grandsons Ryan (Abby) Cowan, Brandon Cowan, and Connor Cowan, five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, in August 2024; parents Robert and Edith Cowan; and his brother, Robert Cowan.

Anyone who would like to make a memorial donation in honor of Jim is asked to do so to the 7th Street Theatre Association, PO Box 777, Hoquiam, WA 98550 or the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary. Please visit his online obituary and share your memories.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, March 9, 2025, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Hoquiam Elks Lodge.