Eugene Cowell

September 29, 1926 ~ May 5, 2014
Resided in:
Fremont, CA
Longtime Fremont resident, Eugene Cowell has moved to his Heavenly home as of May 5th, 2014. Gene was born on Sept. 28th, 1926 in Santa Rosa, CA. After graduating from Santa Rosa High School in 1944, he immediately enlisted into the US Navy where he was stationed in the Philippines during WW II.
After the war, he attended Santa Rosa Junior College where he met his future wife Gwen, to whom he was married to for 61 years. He continued his education at Golden Gate University where he earned a BA in Accounting and later, an MBA in Taxation.
In 1955, Gene & Gwen moved to Centerville (it was not yet 'Fremont') where he began his professional career as controller for Clements Construction, Co. In 1966, he opened a CPA firm in Fremont which he ran until his retirement in 1996. One of his greatest joys was the relationships he developed with his clients as they also became good friends.
Gene loved Fremont and served his community until his death. A few of his commitments included the Jr. Chamber, the Ohlone Foundation, the Tri-City Health Center and Our Savior Lutheran Church.
He was appointed to the Washington Township Hospital Board in 1966 and was reelected twice. Additional appointments include four years on the Fremont Civil Service Commission and as a special appointee to Reagan's 'Governor's Survey on Efficiency and Cost Control.' For 42-years, Gene was a member of the Niles Rotary Club, serving terms as both treasurer and president and was known as the 'joke king' as he moderated the joke contest for many years.
Gene loved sports, specifically the A's, Raiders, and Niners. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren. Because of his knowledge of history, his grandchildren would seek his counsel before they began writing their school reports – they loved talking and discussing historical subjects with him.
He is survived by his wife, Gwen Cowell, daughter's Tami and Roxanne and respective husbands, Rob and John, and grandchildren, Josh, Nicole, Jessica and Krista.
A celebration of Gene's life will be held at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 858 Washington Blvd, Fremont, CA 94539, at 12:30 PM on Monday, May 19th. Reception following.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Gene's name to Our Savior Lutheran Church, 858 Washington Blvd, Fremont, CA 94539, The Niles Rotary Foundation, P.O. Box 7104, Fremont, CA, 94537, or a charity of your choice.
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