Paul Thomas Cowdrey, 70, filed his final flight plan on August 6, 2024 to go and be with the Lord. He was born on July 20, 1954 at home in Chicago, Illinois to Thomas Edward Cowdrey and Evelyn Selma (Gardell) Cowdrey. He joined sister, Susan Lynn to complete their family. He grew up in the Lombard area and graduated from Glenbard East High School. He then attended Parks College in Cahokia, Illinois and graduated with a degree in Aeronautical Maintenance Management. In 1979 he became a Christian in St. Louis, MO and met his future wife that day. August 28, 1982, he married Belinda May Notgrass from St. Charles, MO. at West End Church of Christ in St. Louis, MO. In 1984 he took his first steps in his flying career working in the flight department at Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac, WI. In 1987, he welcomed his first child, son Jared while living there. In 1989, he finally got his dream job of becoming an Airline Pilot when he was hired by American Airlines which brought the family back to the Chicagoland area. In 1993, he was blessed with a second son, Bradley while living in Rockford, IL.
Paul was very much a people person and loved to get together with people. He was blessed with many lifelong friends from numerous states because of it.
One of Paul's dreams was to retire in Florida. In 2012 that dream became a reality when he bought a house in Viera. Florida living really agreed with him not to mention being able to see rocket launches from the backyard. Having Kennedy Space Center and the ocean nearby were added bonuses.
Paul loved music and had a vast collection of albums and CD's of a variety of styles.
After flying for 29 years in a 727, MD80 and 777 out of Chicago, Dallas and Miami, Paul retired in June 2018.
One of his greatest joys occurred in August 2019 at the birth of his first grandchild, Sophia. Paul loved his family very much but nothing brought him more joy than being a Papa!
Aviation was a BIG part of his life. He loved all things aviation. He even got his pilots license at age 17. He loved flying of any kind and giving people rides. He even built his own airplane, a Van's RV7, with the help of his family and friends in his garage. You could always find him sharing something regarding aviation to anyone who would listen. A lot of family vacations centered around aviation too as he loved to share it with his boys too.
Traveling was also a passion of his. He was blessed to be able to travel with his wife both domestic and internationally to some amazing destinations.
He also loved to go fishing whether with friends, family or on his own.
Another one of his big passions was Evangelism. He loved sharing his faith in God and teaching others how to do so also which he did up to his last day of life. Leading singing at church and nursing homes was another one of his passions.
In 2021, he and his wife moved to Edmond, OK to be closer to family.
He was a member of the Edmond Church of Christ and part of the fun, loving Upward class. Thank you for loving and encouraging him the way you did.
He is survived by his wife, Belinda of almost 42 years, his children Jared (Bethany) Cowdrey and Bradley (Amy) Cowdrey all of Edmond, OK and his precious grandkids, Sophia, Jace, Drew and Myrion. He is also survived by his brothers Roger Thomson from Longwood, FL, Ray (Vicki) Cowan from Rib Lake, WI and Rick (Gayle) Cowan from South Haven, MI as well as his in-laws, Richard and Marilyn Notgrass and Robert (Rhonda) Notgrass from St. Charles, Mo as well as numerous Nieces and Nephews. Along with numerous friends from around the country. He is predeceased by his Father, Tom, his Stepmother, Dorothy, his Brother in Law, Tom Johnson, his Sister in Law, Sue Thomson, his Sister, Sue Johnson and his Mother, Evelyn.
Memorials may be sent in his name as a donation to In Search of the Lord's Way, P.O. Box 371, Edmond, OK 73083
To view the live stream of the service please follow the attached link: Funeral for Paul Cowdrey (youtube.com)
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Edmond Church of Christ on August 17, 2024 at 11:00 am.