RIP Rick Cowan
White Chapel Funeral Home
August 9, 2016
Rick Cowan, 60 years old, of Houston Lake, MO died early on August 8, 2016 at St. Luke’s Hospital North of a heart attack. He was born November 23, 1955 in Kirksville, MO to Maxine and Donald Cowan. He grew up in Macon, MO and attended college briefly at Truman State (then Northwest Missouri State College.) He married Wendy Thompson on March 20, 1988 in Kansas City, MO.
He moved to Kansas City in the late 70s, working in theater as an actor and director, then establishing his career in the film industry as Assistant Director, Location Scout, Production Manager and Producer. As the Producer of three feature films, he took two of them to the Sundance Film Festival—“CSA: The Confederate States of America” and “The Only Good Indian.” He also produced many, many television commercials, earning an Emmy Award for “When I Grow Up.”
Rick served on the City Council of Houston Lake for over five years as Alderman and would design and execute the fireworks display for the city’s Independence Day Celebrations. His passion for his work led him to lobby both state and local governments to promote Kansas City as a place to film. He served on the Advisory Board for the Kansas City Film Commission, as well. For many years, he donated his services as the site manager for Aids Walk Kansas City.
Rick lived his life like an artist. He loved traveling, his family, movies, fireworks (or, in his words, ‘blowing stuff up’) and discussing politics. All who knew him will miss his irreverent sense of humor, his quick wit and his generous nature.
He is survived by his wife, Wendy Thompson; three children, Kelley Jones (and Kevin), Jason Thompson and Season Hansen; six grandchildren, Cassady Thompson (Haiden Harding), Katie Thompson, Tyson Jones, Nadia Jones, Nevaeh Hansen and Revekah Hansen; one great-grandchild, Elijah Harding; his mother, Maxine Cowan of Macon, MO; two brothers, Tracy Cowan (Jeanne) of Clayton, MO and Doug Cowan (Carrie) of St. Paul, MN; and his aunt and uncle, Carolyn and Harold Sandretto of Green Castle, MO. His father preceded him in death.
Services will held at White Chapel Funeral Home, 6600 NE Antioch Road, Gladstone, MO 64119 on Monday, August 15, 2016. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 pm, with a Life Celebration service following from 5 to 6 pm. Donations can be made to Child Fund International or Aids Walk Kansas City.
The wake, a.k.a. Rick’s Wrap Party, will be held Wednesday, Aug 17, 2016 at The Guild, 1627 Locust Street, Kansas City, Mo at 6:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to come and say goodbye.
COWAN, Rick
Born: 11/23/1955, Kirksville, Missouri, U.S.A.
Died: 8/8/2016, Houston Lake, Missouri, U.S.A.
Rick Cowan’s western – producer:
The Only Good Indian - 2009