Roger William Cowles, 79, of Fort Madison, Iowa peacefully passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. Roger was born on July 5, 1945 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Fort Madison, Iowa to Arthur William Cowles and Enid Frances Cowles. He had two sisters, Julie Mary and Susan Kay. At the age of 4, Roger suffered from rheumatic fever which limited any future sports activity, except of course, golf. Roger graduated as a member of the 1963 class from Fort Madison Senior High School. He then continued his education at Texas Wesleyan University where he graduated cum laude in 1968. He later received his master’s degree from Central Michigan University. Roger’s career began at the Defense Contract Audit Agency in 1967 as GS-4 at the Bell Helicopter Company office. His career then took him to Memphis, Tennessee and eventually to the Headquarters of the Defense Contract Audit Agency in Washington, DC. While in Washington, Roger worked on Capitol Hill as a staff member for Rep. Robin Beard, R-TN. Roger continued to devote his career to the Department of Defense, in the Pentagon and was Director of Contract Audit and Analysis Division, where he was then promoted to Federal Executive Service. His career led him to being a member of the United States delegation that established the International Science and Technology Center in Moscow, Russia and the Science and Technology Center of Ukraine in Kiev, Ukraine. Roger rounded out his impressive career by being an adjunct professor at the Federal Executive Institute in Charlottesville, Virginia. In January 1999, Roger retired from his government work and began to enjoy the simple things in life. July 4, 2010, he married Mary Lee Morris, who he referred to as his “smokin’ hot wife.” Together they lived a life of love, laughter and made lasting memories with their family. Roger enjoyed working on the computer and playing golf year-round, which was made possible by spending the winter months in his favorite place, Cocoa Beach, FL. During months in Iowa, Roger enjoyed more time on the golf course, going to Tri-State Rodeo every fall and would always be a trooper wearing whatever wacky outfit was required for themed family get-togethers. While Roger wasn’t the best athlete, you could always find him cheering on his favorite teams/players, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes, St. Louis Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys and of course Caitlin Clark. He is preceded in death by his parents and younger sister, Julie Schellhorn. He is survived by his wife Mary Lee, older sister Susan, stepchildren Matt (Jan) Morris and Carey (Brad) Warren. His nephews Travis (Katie) Schellhorn, Aaron (Lindsay) Schellhorn and his grandchildren Jackson and Henry Morris and Charley and Savannah Warren.
A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025 at King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory. A celebration of Roger’s life will be held at 6:00 p.m. with Pastor Dave Poland officiating. A memorial has been established for his grandchildren’s education. Online condolences to Roger’s family may be left at the King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory website: www.kinglynk.com. Please come celebrate Roger with his family by toasting him with his favorite, a rum and coke. A private burial with family will be held on May 10, 2025.
