COWAN, HAROLD (HAL) our beloved husband and father, left this earth on
Monday, May 7, 2018 to be with his Father in Heaven. Hal was 82 years
old and would have become 83 on June 13th.
He is survived by his wife, Sally, of 53 years, his daughter, Lisa
Ann, and her partner Melanie Dirks, and his sister, Julia (Dan) Moore of McKinney, Texas. He was
predeceased by his father, Dr. Harold Cowan, Sr. and his mother,
Ludellda.
Pastor Adam Hamilton will conduct the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on
Thursday, May 24th in the Wesley Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, please mark your donation to The Church of the
Resurrection Foundation, 13720 Roe, Leawood, KS 66224
Mr. Cowan was born in Atchison, Kansas. Hal became a professional
organist at the age of 9. He entertained at three of the popular
hotels in downtown Kansas City until he was graduated from Atchison
High School. Since Hal was under age for entertaining in these
particular lounges that served alcohol, his father drove him every day
to Kansas City to provide the evening entertainment and waited for him
so he could get back to Atchison to do his homework.
His tenure at the Drum Room of the Hotel President lasted 14 years
during which time he commuted to KU every day where he earned his MBA.
Hal loved the music business and applied for a job at Jenkins Music
Company as a teacher. However, the owner of Jenkins Music Co. needed
sales help and Hal accepted that job instead.
This was definitely a “God” job as he loved people and got to know
many of them personally during that period. After the devastating
1977 flood on the Plaza, the owner decided he would rather be in
Arizona. This resulted in Hal becoming owner and CEO of the
company. To be able to re-open the store was a blessing as was being
able to retain all of his invaluable sales representatives.
One lady had to leave because of her husband’s illness and Hal’s wife
came down to re-organize the repair, delivery and business office.
The company grew from that one store on the Plaza to 6 stores. They
worked together until 1997 when they retired.
After being able to eliminate the long working hours, they were able
to have more time together as well as to being available to regularly
attend their beloved Church of the Resurrection. Hal and Sally
volunteered much time to the church until he was injured in surgery in
2013 which paralyzed him. He had to reduce his volunteer time because
of having to be in the wheelchair but was still able to see Pastor
Adam Hamilton conduct services via the wonderful invention of the
internet.
Hal always was a positive person and even after being paralyzed he
still contributed as much time as he could to COR. He loved his wife,
his daughter, his church and his dog.
Thank you, God, for this wonderful man. And, we all said “Amen.”
Assistance by Funeral Advocates, LLC.
Mrs. Mills and Lisa – I am so very sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and your family.
I was fortunate to know and work with Hal. He will be remembered deep in my heart.
Lisa, what a beautiful tribute to your father! I wish I could have known him, but I guess I know a piece of him by having you as a friend! I wish you and your family peace, as you cope with such a great loss. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.
One of the best dads I’ve ever met. God bless you, Mr Cowan. You were a gift to all of us who knew you.
Hal was a blessing to so many in this world, especially in the music community.
I worked with / for Hal, many years ago, and to this day his positive influence is as strong as ever in my life, as is his lovely wife Sally’s humor and strength.
Thank you for your guidance and faith in me and all the other people you touched Hal. R.I.P. my friend.
What a beautiful kind soul
Hal was a blessing to so many and had a most magical positive attitude that encouraged and inspired those around him.
The greatest love for his beloveds. Sally and Lisa
You know he’d expect a party, no doubt he’s at the organ and the music is frocking in heaven. He loved his Lord and it’s just a little bit more joyful where he is.
Let’s honor his great legacy of kindness and generosity by being an uplifting presence to someone today.
“Well done my noble precious friend. Love is eternal. Only the forms change!”
Sally, so many wonderful memories of time with you and Hal at UCOP. he was a beautiful soul and a delight to be with. He will be remembered by so many, with such great love. As will you! Such generous loving souls the two of you are.
Pat Bell—now living in the Lowcountry of South Carolina
Sally, I am so sorry for your loss. He was a dear kind man to me and many others I am sure. Please accept my condolences and extend them to your daughter and her partner. Fondly, Judy B
Sally and Lisa,Hal was a wonderful man.I had many telephone conversations with him over the last several years.
Sometimes life gives you friends who influence your life forever. I met Hal at the Drum Room…Bob Money had just sold my family our first Hammond and he introduced my family to Hal. We went back to hear him many times. He inspired me with his talent and imagination. He was my mentor at Jenkins where he was known as “Mr. Hammond Organ”. Hal and Sally’s gift to customers and friends were the frequent concerts where local and international talent performed, but the highlight was always Hal’s performances. Thank you Sally and Hal for the “gift of music.”
Sally I am so sorry for your loss. Hal was a wonderful person with a heart of gold. Even thou I have not seen you in many years I value the friendship we had when living on Chadwick. Hal was such a loving and caring person, with his family always is first priority and love.
He helped me out wonderfully as I was growing up working for him and during my piano moving years at Gerber Moving ! I will never forget you ..thank you for all❤️
Sally, I am so sad to learn about Hal. He had a profound influence on my life and I enjoyed serving with hm in so many ways. A wonderful mentor, always smiling and encouraging, loving and serving those around him. I was blessed to know him and you; my prayers are with you and your family.
I got to know how well into his retirement in the context of Church of the Resurrection. He was a mentor to a group of couples who were new to Cor, and then he invited me to join his men’s bible study group. It was one of the highlights of my week! How was one of the absolutly nicest people I’ve ever met and was truly a man of God!
I am deeply sorry for your loss, my thoughts are with you at this difficult time. While I cannot remember my very first contact with Hal, I remember seeing him at the Drum Room, and he sold me my first organ. I remember performing with Hal at the Colony Steakhouse with a drum, a vocalist with me on guitar. I was so impressed with his music abilities that I then purchased an organ from him. His example of musical ability and integrity with those he interacted with always impressed me. His very interesting sense of humor and wit was always a treat. In our interactions Hal learned of my electronic ability and offered me an opportunity to do organ service for him for many years. He was a wonderful influence on my life and many other musicians in the Kansas City area. His lovely wife Sally, was always a joy and also had a wonderful sense of humor. Hal will be missed and his influence on the musical community is immeasurable.
would u b the pat bell i worked with at the 31 club many years ago
Sally,I’m so sorry to hear of Hal’s passing. I enjoyed working with him and yourself over the past years. Our friendships will always be remembered. God bless you and your family.
No, never worked at the 31 club – no musical talent whatsoever. Did waitress at the Gilbert-Milleman Airport Restaurant summers when I was in high school in the mid 50s, but wasn’t a Bell then.
Lisa, It was a great honor to know your parents….my thoughts are with you. Annie
I haven’t seen Hal for several years so I wasn’t aware of what he has been facing. Hal was just a really wonderful person to everyone I ever saw him around! He was certainly nice to me and, in addition to being a great musician, he was such a gentleman. Sally, I am so sorry for your loss. I know you will miss him very, very much. I would be at his funeral but I have a medical appointment which I simply cannot miss. I will be thinking of you and your family and friends who will be there, though.
My heart breaks seeing that Hal has passed. He sold me 3 different organs over the years and also a grand piano. He was so delightful and always had that amazing smile on his face. I took lessons there and was able to interact with Hal many times. SO talented….pure joy to be around. May he RIP and I know he is playing beautiful music in heaven for the angels…. God bless
I worked with Hal for many years. He hired me in 1971 as a salesman, later learned of my electronic experience, transferred me to the service dept., sent me to Hammond service school, and I stayed in the service business for the rest of my career. He saw my true talents were in electronics, not sales. For that I am eternally grateful. He will be greatly missed by me, and all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Sally, Lisa, and Mel: My deepest condolences for your loss. I know you are remembering what a wonderful man Hal was. I am fortunate to have met him and was captivated by his kind and peaceful demeanor. Heaven is a better place now that Hal is there! All my love.
My husband, Duane (dec’d 1012) and I knew Hal and Sally through Unity Church. What a wonderful man he was. I didn’t know of his health problems, but with his incredible demeanor I can’t imagine anyone coping with it any better than he would. I’m sure he just turned it over to God and then went on about living! Heaven is a better place now that he’s there! Sally, I will keep you and your family in my prayers!
I’m just learning of Hal’s passing on searching his name on the internet. I met Hal at UCOP back in the early 90s and never forgot him. Once, during a time when other things were crowding out my attendance I ran into him at a hardware store. During that chance encounter he invited me to return to UCOP. I did return thanks to his invitation and years later following a number of surprising changes wound up a Pastor in the United Methodist Church. Hal is someone I’ll always lovingly remember for a host of reasons.
Rev. Loren Drummond
Salina,KS
Hi-I was so surprised to come across Hal’s name today. My husband (then boyfriend) got to know Hal when we both played at the Phillips Hotel. He in The Tropics and me in The Cabana During that time, somewhere in the 1950’s Hal became like part of our family and spent most of his time off with us during our time spent in Kansas City. I was so happy to read about the successful career he did go on to have, but sad to hear of his passing at the same time! Yes, Hal was one in a million.