Sidney Ray Cowin

Sid was a wonderful, loving, man with a huge generous heart even generous to a fault. He had a quiet demeanor. If you were lucky enough to be called “friend” he would be your friend for life. Everyone who knew Sid would describe him as the sweet, quiet guy with the Native Pride hat pulled down over his dark hair, often wearing his jean jacket or sporting his USMC gear. He loved helping others more than anything in the world. He would buy clothing and donate to kids on the reservation for back-to-school. He bought presents for children whose parents couldn’t afford them and wanted to remain anonymous in doing so. He would use his hunting privileges on the reservation to gather meat for those less fortunate. He loved cooking huge meals for “the guys” – those who wouldn’t have a meal over the holidays. He donated more than half the fish he would catch. If he thought you needed meat, he would fill your whole freezer. Sid was an avid fisherman, crewman, first mate, cook, merchant mariner, and captain of his own ship. He loved being at sea for days, weeks, and months at a time. He was a self-proclaimed “war hoop” – an enrolled member of the Salish Kootenai Tribe. He was a boiler maker by trade, working all over the world. He jokingly referred to himself as a “grunt” in the USMC, serving in two tours of Vietnam War. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Sid was preceded in death by his father Raymond R. Cowin and his mother Helen M. (Sousley) Cowin. He is survived by his sister Mary Lee Webber, daughter Michelle Rae Cowin, and son Robert Dale Cowin. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many friends. There will be a private burial at sea for Sid. If you would like to make a monetary donation in his honor, you may donate to the Baldwin Elementary School “Caring Closet,” which provides school supplies, coats, shoes, glasses, and whatever is needed and can’t be attained elsewhere. The Closet was established to honor Sid’s daughter Michelle, who worked there for over 14 years before becoming critically ill and was forced to retire. Sid was extremely proud of Michelle’s work with children. Every year he would adopt kids at Christmas and provide presents, buy shoes if he heard they needed them, and school supplies for everyone. If you would like to donate in his honor, make checks payable to: Baldwin Elementary School and make a note “In memory of Sid Cowin for the Caring Closet.” (Baldwin Elementary School – 9000 Tudor Ln, Manassas, VA 20110. Write “Caring Closet” in the memo or in a note.) Please share your memories of Sid by clicking on the “Add Condolences” link.

Sidney Ray Cowin

December 15, 1942 - September 6, 2017