TOMMY SHIPP COWAN

November 23, 1940 – March 19, 2022

Tommy S. Cowan passed away peacefully in Bakersfield, California on March 19, 2022. He was 81 years old.

Tommy was born in Watsonville, California to the late Marguerite (Jackie) Cowan Gargano born in Calhoun City, Mississippi and the late Archie Cowan, born in Hopewell, Mississippi. He grew up in Bakersfield, California and attended East High School. After graduating high school in 1958, he enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. Upon completion of his tour, he returned to Bakersfield and married Darlene Lopez Miller. They moved to McFarland, California in 1965 and had three daughters, Leslie, Sammye and Jenna. Tommy and his family established Cowan Farms and he farmed the land for over 40 years growing cotton, alfalfa, grapes and wheat. Farming was his passion and after he left McFarland and moved to Bakersfield he continued farming almonds until his retirement. He married the love of his life Eileen Mendiburu in 1990 and they enjoyed a wonderful life together, cherishing life with family and friends.

Tommy loved the outdoors, riding motorcycles, collecting and restoring antiques, genealogy research, working on his 1948 Buick Woody and spending time with family and friends. In his later years, he and his wife Eileen enjoyed spending time at their cabin in Posey and driving to the coast and enjoying each others company. They were each others best friend. Tommy was tough as nails and had a heart of gold. He was always there to help his family and friends and truly relished in the happiness of his family.

Tommy is survived by his loving children Leslie (Danny) Orender of Bakersfield, California, Sammye (Craig) Cowan-Cowie of Los Angeles, California, Jenna Maki of San Diego, California, Todd (Bernadette) Mendiburu of Arvin, California, Jennifer (Atlas) Kendricks of Mansfield, Texas, Steven (Monica) Mendiburu of Oxnard, California as well as his brothers Billy Cowan of Bakersfield, California and Bobby Cowan of Cambria, California. He is further survived by his grandchildren Tommy (Breana) Rosenberger, Genevieve (Patrick) Zweifel, Finn Maki, Avery Maki, Megan Souza, Katie Mendiburu, Benjamin Mendiburu, Cheyenne Kendricks, Alexis Kendricks, Jaylen Kendricks, Kaia Mendiburu, Madison Mendiburu, Bellamy Mendiburu, Drake Mendiburu, great grandchild Viviana Zweifel and many other cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Eileen Cowan, his parents Archie Cowan and Jackie Cowan Gargano and his son-in-law Jon Maki.

A celebration of Tommy’s life will be held on April 28th at 11:00 a.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home Northeast, 3700 River Boulevard, Bakersfield, CA 93305.

You have left a lasting impression with your witty sense of humor, kind heart and laughter. We will miss you forever and hold you close in our hearts. We love you always.

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