Ken Cowling, former state representative from Southwest Arkansas, died Monday

TEXARKANA, Ark. - Ken Cowling, a former state representative from the district representing Little River County and a large portion of Miller County, died Monday at his Texarkana, Arkansas, home. He was 72.

Cowling was District 2 state representative from 2001 to 2006. His district covered all of Little River County and all of Miller County - excluding Texarkana.

He was a Democrat, but considered himself conservative. He later made an unsuccessful run for the District 21 state senate seat.

Little River County Judge Mike Cranford was the Foreman, Arkansas, city clerk when Cowling became a state legislator.

"He always had his people in mind, always looking out for the citizens of his area first and foremost," Cranford said. "He will definitely be missed, not only as a former legislator but as a friend, a businessman and an all-around great person."

In his legislative capacity, he worked hard at safeguarding the future of Domtar, a paper mill near Ashdown, and to pass incentives to help Ash Grove Cement with its $190 million expansion and to keep the plant, located southwest of Foreman, Arkansas, open.

"Ken represented the citizens of Little River and Miller counties quite well in his years as a state representative," said Dennis Young, a former state representative from Texarkana.

Prissy Hickerson, another former state representative from Texarkana, mentioned his dedication and his diligence.

"He was a fine, fine man," she said. "He had a great desire to be of service to people there wasn't anything that he wouldn't try to do for his constituents."

Cowling is a past president of the Arkansas State School Board Association, past chairman of the Governor's Council for Gifted and Talented Students, area representative for the Arkansas Good Roads Council and former zone chairman of Ducks Unlimited.

His public life included stints as president of the Foreman School Board, president of the Little River Chamber of Commerce and president of the Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council board of directors.

"Public service is a gift bestowed by a community to a person who they trust and who they feel will represent their interests," Cowling said during his 2010 campaign for state senator. "Our best resource is our people and I look forward to working with our people to continue to make Southwest Arkansas the best place to work and raise a family."

He demonstrated these beliefs both before and after he left the public sector.

He was a Sunday School director and teacher at Beech Street First Baptist Church in Texarkana.

Born in Foreman, Arkansas, on Sept. 13, 1947, Cowling graduated from Foreman High School and later from Southern Arkansas University with degrees in Accounting and Education.

He worked in banking, as an educator and coach before getting into the title insurance business since 1972. Later Cowling founded Cowling Title Company.

"His outgoing personality and big smile always made everyone feel at ease," Young said. "Many worthwhile local organizations will greatly miss the leadership and financial backing that Ken so generously provided over many years."

He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Elaine Cowling of Texarkana, Arkansas; three brothers, Larry Cowling of Foreman, Arkansas; Richard Cowling of Foreman, Arkansas, Otto Cowling Jr. of Foreman, Arkansas; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Janice and Mickey Trammell of Texarkana, Texas; Carolyn and Robert Frost of Denison, Texas, along with other family, friends, and associates.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Beech First Baptist Church with Pastor Craig Jenkins officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

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