Stanley Wray Cowan was born March 2, 1936, in Hutchinson, Kansas. He spent his early years following his parents around the state of Kansas as his father's employment moved from one location to another, finally settling down in Hiawatha in 1947. He graduated from Hiawatha High School in 1954.

Stan attended Kansas State College and graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. He was a sousaphone player in the K-State Band all four years of his college career. One of his memorable experiences as a band member was playing before President Dwight D. Eisenhour at the dedication of the Eisenhour Presidential Library in Abilene, KS.

Stan worked for one summer as an asphalt inspector for the Kansas Highway Commission, and then was inducted into the Army. He was assigned to the Chemical Corps at the Army Chemical Center at Edgewood, MD. After completing his military service in November 1960, he accepted a position in the Research Laboratories of Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, NY, where he worked for 38 years, specializing in color imaging chemistry. He held 57 U.S. Patents.

Stan was an active member of the Summerville Presbyterian Church in Irondequoit, NY where he was an Elder and served on several committees and was a member of the choir for 38 years. In Ellijay, Stan and his late wife, Carol, were also active in the Ellijay First United Methodist Church where they both served on committees, and Stan was again an active choir member. Stan composed several anthems, some of which have been performed by the choirs of both churches.

Stan was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyne Ann (Carol) Grimshaw Cowan. They were married for 50 years before she passed in 2013.

A celebration of life will be held at Ellijay First United Methodist Church on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Ellijay First United Methodist in memory of Stan Cowan.

Logan Funeral Home & Chapel is in charge of arrangements.