Bennie (Ben) Clifford Cowan of Mooresville, N.C., passed away peacefully on December 17, 2019, at Gordon Hospice House in Statesville. He was born April 15, 1932, in Monroe, La., to the late Sherwood and Alma Cowan.

He was a graduate of Monroe High School in Louisiana. After high school, Ben served in the Korean War. Upon his return to the United States, Ben attended and graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in chemistry. Ben worked for Goodyear and Goettford Instruments before retiring from the corporate world.

When he was not sailing on his much-loved sailboat “Daydream,” Ben could be found on the golf course. Ben, also known as Dad and Papi, will be remembered as a Renaissance man with interests ranging from teaching himself to play the guitar to reading the latest historical biographer or Tom Clancy thriller.

In addition to his parents, Ben was preceded in death by his first wife, Martha (Salsbury) Cowan; and his sister, Evelyn (Cowan) Taylor. He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Carol (O’Kelley Martin) Cowan; his children, Leslie (Marty) Plyler of Troutman, N.C., Stephanie (Ronny) Bailey of Key West, Fla., and Robert (Nan) Cowan of New Iberia, La.; his stepchildren, Canter (Ann) Martin of Asheville, N.C., Mary Lynn Peacher (Bobby Glover), of Ridgeland, S.C., and Caroline (Chris) Blanchette of Davidson, N.C. In addition to his wife and children, Ben is survived by his ten grandchildren; Victoria (Sam) Axtman, Emma Plyler, Nanine, William, Eleanor and John Cowan, Grace and Madeline Martin, and Nolan and Henry Blanchette; his nieces, Ruth Tallkington (Mark) and Martha (Chris) Bennett; his nephew, Bill Taylor (Tess); three great-nephews and one great-niece.

The family will have a private memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625 or the American Cancer Society, 1901 Brunswick Ave., Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28207.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Cowan family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.