by Ronald Joe Death, Obituary – After a short battle with an unexpected illness, Ronald Joe Cowling, age 82, of Stamps, Arkansas, passed away on January 7, 2023 in a hospital in the area. Joe Cowling was born in Nashville, Arkansas on July 7, 1940. His parents, Wesley and Doris Cowling, were his parents. His parents and his brother Gary Cowling both passed away before him. He was the only child. Joe is a graduate of Southern Arkansas University, where he earned a degree in education, and the University of Arkansas, where he earned a master’s degree in mathematics. During his four years playing college football, Joe was an outstanding running back.
Following his graduation from college, Joe began his career as a coach in the Arkansas High School system and remained there for two years. After that, he took the head coaching job at the local football team in Stamps, Arkansas, where he remained for several years while also teaching mathematics and tending to his family. Joe cherished his role as a coach, but he cherished his players even more. During his tenure as head coach at Stamps High School, the school achieved a significant deal of success on the field, including many state high school championships in the sports of football and track.
Joe had a deep affection for his church, his family, his friends, and his neighborhood. In addition, Joe enjoyed giving back to the community in which he lived by working as a volunteer fireman and serving as mayor for a total of 12 years. He was a deacon at the First Baptist Church in Stamps and he loved to begin each day of his life by reading the Bible. He did this every single day. He had various interests throughout his life, including hunting, fishing, camping with his family, gardening, and spending time with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
After coaching for a number of years, Joe eventually took a position as the Human Resources Director for the Alan White Furniture Company, where he remained until his retirement after a career spanning 24 years. Joe claimed that his employment as a math tutor at South Arkansas Youth Services, which he did after he retired, was the most satisfying work he had ever done in his life. Joe is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Ann Cowling of Stamps, Arkansas, two sons, Doug Cowling of Texarkana, Arkansas, and Lance Cowling and wife Amy of Atlanta, Texas, one brother Bob Cowling and wife Rebecca of Arkadelphia, Arkansas,
one granddaughter Kelsey Martin and husband Tanner of Atlanta, Texas, one grandson Jacob Cowling of Atlanta, Texas, and one great-grandson Jett Martin of Atlanta, Arkansas, as well as special cousins Theres
