Longtime public servant Daniel Cowdrey dies at 80
By Caitlin Ryan
The Highland County Press
Longtime public servant Daniel Cowdrey passed away Monday, May 25.
Mr. Cowdrey was 80.
Mr. Cowdrey’s extensive list of public service in Highland County includes his work as Highland County Economic Development Director, as president of the Highland County Airport Authority and president of the Rocky Fork Lake Alliance. He was also a member of the Highland County Republican Central Committee and served on Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission committees.
Ohio Director of Agriculture and former Highland County Commissioner David Daniels told The Highland County Press: "I first met Dan when I was involved in 4-H and FFA as a youth. He called and asked me to help tag market hog projects for the Highland County Fair.
“We spent the day traveling from farm to farm; it was the first time I had ever been to many places in the county. I gained a great deal of respect for Dan and the work he was doing for OSU Extension that day. Over the years, his work with Extension, agriculture, and economic development in our county has improved the quality of life for more people than we can imagine.”
As fate would have it, Daniels would have many opportunities to work with Mr. Cowdrey, while serving as mayor of Greenfield, county commissioner, and as an Ohio lawmaker prior to being appointed the state’s director of agriculture.
“Dan’s life and work will not be forgotten,” Daniels said.
Former Highland County Chamber of Commerce director Katy Farber said that Mr. Cowdrey’s assistance with local economic development was invaluable.
“When I came to the Chamber of Commerce, Dan knew more about the history of Highland County and the many facets that he had encountered than anyone that I worked with,” Farber said. “His depth of knowledge and love for the county were always of great importance to me.”
Mr. Cowdrey earned a master’s degree from The Ohio State University, where he was a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. Upon graduation, he served in the United States Air Force, where he attained the rank of Captain.
Upon leaving the military, Mr. Cowdrey served as a high school vocational agriculture instructor in Lewisburg and Leesburg. He also served as the 4-H agent in Fayette County and worked as the County Extension agent in Highland County for several years.
Mr. Cowdrey was also a member of the Highland County AmVets, Highland Lodge #38 F&AM and the Hillsboro Rotary Club, where he was an honored Paul Harris Fellow.
A visitation is scheduled for Friday, May 29, 2015 from noon - 2 p.m. at Rhoads-Edgington Funeral Home, Hillsboro.
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Services will be held at the Rhoads-Edgington Funeral Home, Hillsboro, Friday, May 29 at 2 p.m. with Jeff Lyle officiating. Interment will follow in the Marshall Cemetery, where the Highland County Honor Guard will conduct full military honors.
Mr. Cowdrey is survived by his wife of 57 years, Rose Marie Cowdrey; three sons, Brian Cowdrey, Steve Cowdrey and Tim Cowdrey; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Former Hillsboro mayor and Greenfield city manager Betty Bishop called Mr. Cowdrey “a godsend” and expressed condolences to his family.
“I just want to send my condolences to the family,” Bishop said. “I’m very thankful that I had the opportunity to work with him for several years on the Chamber of Commerce on economic development.
“He has been a godsend for this community, and I just thank his family for sharing him with Highland County.”