Lt. Col. Bob Cowling

LTC (retired) Bobby Wayne Cowling, 88, of Arkadelphia passed away May 6, 2026. He was born January 18, 1938 in Howard County Arkansas, and was the son of the late Wesley Henry Cowling and Doris Coleman Cowling.

Depending on the era in which you knew Bob, you may have a different recollection of him. You may have known Bobby Cowling, aka Moose, a Nashville High School Scrapper and hero on the field, or a Henderson State Teachers’ College Reddie lineman, where he graduated and was commissioned an Army 2nd Lt in 1961. He served his country for over 25 years with the majority of those years as a member of the Special Forces Green Berets. Tours included two stints in Vietnam, numerous at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, University of Georgia ROTC, Command and General Staff College Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, South Korean Special Forces, Combined Arms Combat Development Activity, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Henderson State University ROTC, and many others, and retired as a Lt Colonel in 1986. Truly at heart he was a scholar and loved to learn, earning an MBA in 1981 while still in the Army, and an additional Masters of Science (Biology) in 1989 and Masters of Science (Education) in 1988, before he officially began his second calling of teacher. He taught 5 years at Malvern High School, followed by 14 years at Ouachita Technical College. He positively affected the lives of hundreds of students during his career, finally retiring in 2008. 

His love of teaching extended to his free time, as he was a scoutmaster for many years, guiding many young men including his own two sons to Eagle Scout, with two trips to Philmont Scout Ranch. He taught Hunter Safety Education to many local high school students for the Arkansas Game and Fish commission, as well as leading summer water study trips to the Gulf of Mexico for local high school students. Even in retirement he continued learning, joining the Southwest Arkansas Beekeepers Association. He helped both with club functions and the community including creating and maintaining an educational live bee hive exhibit at Degray Lake that many enjoyed. He attended and enjoyed fellowship at DeGray Baptist Church in Arkadelphia.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years Rebecca Merkel Cowling; son Greg Cowling and wife Paula Ramos of Evans, GA, daughter Carrie Cowling Fox and husband Tim of Baton Rouge, LA, and son David Cowling of Metlakatla, Alaska; and grandchildren Rhys Cowling, Aidan Cowling, Austin Ramos (Mary Catherine) and Jackie Ramos Johnson (Bryce); Coleman Fox, Holden Fox and Katherine Fox; Owen Cowling (Kayley), Nathan Cowling and Lily Cowling.

He is predeceased by his parents and his brothers Gary Cowling and Joe Cowling.

Funeral services will be held at DeGray Baptist Church on Wednesday, May 13 with visitation at 10am and funeral to follow at 11am.

Burial at Decipher Cemetery, Gurdon, Arkansas. Pastors David Young and Mike Hipps, officiating.

Memorials would be gratefully accepted at Decipher Cemetery Fund, 100 East Main Street, P.O. Box 446, Gurdon, AR 71743 or  DeGray Baptist Church, c/o Kathy Thomason, 126 Wingfield Rd, Arkadelphia, AR 71923.