Merritt LeRoy Cowger
December 21, 1931 - August 27, 2008
Obituary
Merritt L. COWGER, December 21, 1931 ~ August 27, 2008, age 76, long time resident of Burien and Des Moines Wash., passed
away August 27, 2008 at Life Care Ctr. of Federal Way. He was well known as
Cougar in the trucking industry he worked in for over 50 Years. Merritt is
survived by Margie, his wife of 56 years; daughter, Deborah Griffith; sons, Brett
Cowger, wife Lindy and Steven Cowger, wife Eva; seven Grandchildren, Brian,
Andrew, Missy, Scott, Ashley, Taylor and Katelyn; five Great-Grandchildren; five
sisters; numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of his life will be held on
Friday, 09/05 at 3:00 PM at BONNEY-WATSON Washington Memorial, 16445
International Blvd., SeaTac, WA. 206 242-1787.
My memories of my Uncle Merritt are filled with much love and admiration.
Your life was a success story , raising a strong and close knit family and personal achievement.
I’ll always admire,love and miss you Uncle Merritt. You could make anyone laugh…
All of our love,thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Love,
Derek
I’ll be with you in spirit at Merritt’s Celebration of Life. He and I graduated from Highline High School and survived a few Reunions !
Your notes on his accomplishments at work reminded me of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s comment, “Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.” Helen Keller’s, “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” A toast to Merritt and those of us whose life was enriched by his ‘being’.
Frary
We are so sad to hear of Merritt’s passing. Please accept our sincere condolences. Merritt was our friend and classmate.
Highline High School, Class of ’51
I will miss you my big brother. I love you with all my heart and sole. You were always there for me when I needed help or just to talk. We had so much fun together growing up. I remember so many things we did, like riding horses, jumping off the roof of our house, and being caught in a blanketgulp. Going on moonlight rides, and the many rodeo’s you were in. All those blue ribbons. I will see you one day with mom, dad, Shirley, Johnny…and we will be the family we knew so many years ago. I love you PINKY
Dear Margie and Family,
God bless you all at this time of sorrow. May the memories of the good times prevail.
With love, Dick Blount
I would like to extend my sincere sympathy to the entire Cowger family.
I worked with Merritt at VFI and feel very blessed to have known him. He was always wonderful to talk to, always smiling and had great stories.
To my precious brother – a gentle giant with a pure and loving soul. You have taught me so much by the selfless and gracious example that you portrayed to the world. You will always be in my heart along with 74 years of wonderful memories. How could you feed me those horrible Fig Newtons? Your loving sister, Dotty
To Merritt’s Family:
I had a short tenure at KENWORTH 30 years ago, and Merritt managed one of the departments that I was responsible for. By then he was already ledgendary in the Trucking Industry. I only drove a big Kenworth one time, and Merritt was my instructor and travel companion. May you experience an abundance of God’s Grace and Mercy in this time of your deep sorrow. Sincerely, Frank Jennings
It was with much sadness for Margie, Dotty and all the Cowger family that I learned of Merritt’s passing. Merritt and Margie’s was truly a love story, from their first dates back in high school, through a long and happy marriage. Dotty has shared some reminisces of growing up with Merritt and their siblings, and the love they shared was evident. Merritt will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sincerely, Carol
I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of Merritt. He was my first supervisor at Kenworth back in 1968 when I was a summer-student employee. He always had colorful stories about the trucking industry and really made the job fun. I spent a total of 38 years at KW and my longevity there was mostly a result of the fine people I came to know and enjoy working with like Merritt. Merritt was indeed a great person to know and work alongside!
I am truly sorry for your loss. I enjoyed my time working with Merritt, he was always quick with a geniune smile to brighten your day. My sincere condolences to all of his loved ones.
Monica
Dear Margie,
I was so sorry to hear of Merritt’s passing. While you may not remember me, I was privileged to visit your house and meet you and your children around 30 years ago.
Merritt and I worked together for many years at KW. He at Seattle and I at Kansas City. I have many good memories of our trips and projects together. He taught me so much about trucks. I had been wondering how he was doing for the last few months and was never able to find out how to contact him. I’m sorry I didn’t try harder.
Trucks were in his blood and he had a most marvelous understanding of the vehicle and it’s proper use. He truly was addicted to them. He taught all of us who knew him so much.
He will be missed by all who knew him well.
You have our prayers and utmost sympathy in this time of sorrow.
To the Family,
May each of you find comfort in knowing that God is “near to those that are broken at heart; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.” Psalm 34;18 He has promised to “actually swallow up death forever…and certainly wipe the tears from all faces.” Isaiah 25;8 Take care,
Dear Margie,
It seemed to me that even with this devastating disease Merritt’s bright mind and friendly spirit was apparent at our memorable 50th reunion. In fact when you mentioned to me that he had been diagnosed with Alzsheimer’s long before then, I was surprised. He seemed his engaging self, even then.
I’m truly sorry, Margie, and have you in my thoughts and prayers. It’s never easy and I’m sure this is especially true after having spent so many wonderful years together.