Eugene J. Cowles

Eugene J. Cowles, 96, of Bedford, died on Friday April 29, 2022 at Sunrise of Upper St. Clair in Pittsburgh. He was born on January 24, 1926, in Johnstown, a son of the late Ernest and Margaret (Scott) Cowles. On June 21, 1958, in Johnstown, he married Laverne E. (Keiper) Cowles who preceded him in death on December 3, 2011. He is survived by two sons, James P. Cowles and wife Amy of Winston-Salem, NC; Jonathan C. Cowles and wife Catherine of Pittsburgh; and four grandchildren: Andy, Lauren, Natalie, and Leanna Cowles.  He was preceded in death by one son, Jeffrey D. Cowles; one brother, Robert Cowles and one sister, Mary Reed.

Eugene graduated from Greater Johnstown High School in 1944. After high school he joined the Army and fought in WWII. When he got out of the Army, he attended Temple University and received a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He was the owner of Earlston Lumber Company in Everett. After the lumber company he worked other various jobs that included a claims adjuster for Bedford Grange Mutual Ins. Co, a purchasing agent for Triangle Pacific in Maryland, and he managed several rental properties in the Bedford area.   In 2008 he published a book called War Years of a Teenager. His hobbies included visiting with friends and taking care of his rental properties.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday. May 4, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Grandview Cemetery in Johnstown with full military honors conducted by the Menoher VFW Post #155 ritual team. Friends will be received on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home in Bedford.   Our online guest book is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com.