Reginald Dwayne Cowling, proud son, adoring brother, dutiful husband, doting grandfather, and the absolute best dad on the planet died June 8, 2024, surrounded by his family, his biggest fans.
Reggie, or Reg, or The Reg, (of Harrison, Ark., formerly of Russsellville) was born on Sept. 14, 1951, to Bonnie Bell Cowling and Saul Cowling. Reggie attended Mineral Springs (Arkansas) schools through high school where he played end, guard and tackle on the Hornet football team (sat on the end of the bench, guarded the water bottle, and tackled anyone who tried to get it). He was the Salutatorian of the class of 1969, because he made a B in typing. He was proud to be from Mineral Springs and even more proud to be Bonnie and Saul’s son.
After leaving Mineral Springs he made his way to Southern Arkansas University, before finally making his way to Fayetteville to be the proudest engineering student on the Hill at the University of Arkansas. He graduated in 1974 with a degree in Electrical Engineering, and you can’t spell geek without double E! He’d want you to know that he had an incredible fondness for the number Pi and was a true genius when it came to electrical questions or problems.
Eventually, he met Laurie Weisschadel when he gave her a ride home from her college with several of his cousins. He asked her for a first date after a family wedding. The two were married in 1978 and recently celebrated 46 years of marriage. They were devoted to one another, their dogs, terrible (old) tv shows, their churches and countless other things.
Reggie was an incredible dad to Evan Saul and Lauren Nicole – Screamin’ E and Little L. Reg was their coach, math tutor (short-lived), confidant, best friend, walking Google and Wikipedia, handyman, CD radio installer in at least a dozen used cars, financier, rebounder, catcher, cook and so many other things. Simply put – he was their everything. Reg thought the world of his daughter-in-law Jenny and wouldn’t have traded her for anything – and he was offered once.
In 2011, Reg became Papa to Braden Saul Cowling. Tyler Camp Cowling quickly followed in 2013 and after that it was all about “the boys.” He loved watching them play soccer, baseball, basketball and football, but even more he loved how smart and kind they are. The boys loved to play dominoes and Wii bowling with him. He moved to Harrison, Ark., as soon as he could to never miss a single activity.
Reggie was big brother to Max and Denny and talked to them in their group text about 19 hours a day. He loved them endlessly. His sisters-in-law, Deb and Lee Anne, were two of his favorites. They never threw a Coke on him despite what you may have heard.
Reggie was a faithful steward of Harrison United Methodist Church in recent years and Russellville First United Methodist Church for over 35 years.
If there was a way to serve the church, a family member, or friend, he probably did it.
He spent many years working for Brown & Root Industrial Services before joining Entergy at Arkansas Nuclear One in 1985 in Russellville, Ark. He officially retired in 2012, but kept working at the plant as a subcontractor until 2019.
While we’re glad he never has to suffer through a Razorbacks’ and a Cowboys’ loss in the same weekend again, we wish more than anything he was still with us in his recliner next to his beloved dogs, Teddy and Franklin. He will be missed every day and all the days after that. Reggie is survived by his wife, Laurie (Harrison); son and daughter-in-law, Evan and Jenny; grandsons, Braden and Tyler (Harrison); daughter, Lauren (Fayetteville); brothers and sisters-in-law: Denny and Lee Anne Cowling (Harrison); Max and Deb Cowling (Nashville); and Annette and Kelton Phillips (Benton). He is also survived by several nieces and nephews: Aaron Cowling; Sara and Clint Shoemaker; Rachel and Ryan Turner and their children: Samantha, Ethan and Tommy Shoemaker; and Rylan and Camden Turner. Reg is also survived by dozens of cousins and his aunt, Joyce Bell Hammond Hesselbein.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bonnie and Saul Cowling and his nephew, Chet Phillips.
Services will be held on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at First United Methodist Church Russellville at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary with Dr. Tonny Griffin and the Rev. Angie Gage officiating and under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville. A gathering at the church, for anyone who would like to attend, will follow to discuss electrical outlets and Reg’s other passions.
Honorary pallbearers are Braden Cowling, Tyler Cowling, Aaron Cowling, Gary McElroy, Bret Sherman, Arthur Roystn, Peter Hilton, Andrew Bryder, Rick Bell, Terry Bell, Greg Bell, and Mary Beth Carpenter.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to First United Methodist Church of Harrison or Russellville First United Methodist Church, Manna House.
Online guestbook and condolences available at www.shinnfuneral.com.
