Davis Olmsted Cowles passed away peacefully on May 25, 2022. He was born to Charles Hyde Cowles and Evelyn (Davis) Cowles in Newton, Massachusetts on February 12, 1938. Married for many years to Barbara Denny, Davis was the beloved father of John and Liz Cowles, and Karen and Steven Robbins. He was the adoring “Grampy” to Sarah, Kevin, and Chris Cowles and to Annie and James Robbins. He is survived by his sisters Deborah Goebel and Amy Elizabeth “Betsey” VanHoogen, brother-in-law Peter Goebel, many nieces and nephews, and a large extended family.
Davis grew up in Needham, MA, and graduated from Needham High School. He served as a military policeman in the United States Army before graduating from Michigan State University where he was a member of Farmhouse Fraternity. Davis spent his career in the automotive industry and worked for many years at Dana Corporation specializing in heavy truck component sales. He remained active in retirement flagging for transport companies and driving buses for schools, athletic teams, and disability service agencies.
Davis was a long-time resident and active community member in Southborough, MA. He was a volunteer fireman and EMT, served in a variety of roles at Pilgrim Church, and was twice elected Selectman for the town.
Davis had a great passion for vehicles of every variety – trucks, jeeps, motorcycles, buses, fire trucks, RVs, backhoes, and more. He owned over 50 vehicles through the years. He shared his passion with family, friends, and the community by driving his antique firetruck in local parades and at church picnics, taking excursions down Nauset beach in a zebra-striped beach buggy, and driving groups into Boston for shows and events in his yellow school bus.
Special moments included autumn drives with his grandchildren through Bolton Orchards in a flatbed truck to pick apples and pumpkins and a road trip with John and Karen to the Big House in his motorhome for a Michigan / Penn State game.
In his later years, Davis’ favorite adventures involved driving his beloved “dualie” pickup and spare parts trailer with the Military Vehicle Preservation Association. With the MVPA, he supported convoys that crossed the continental United States and trekked the Alaska-Canada (ALCAN) Highway.
Davis loved his family more than anything else, however. His children and grandchildren brought him such joy; he beamed with pride at their every adventure and achievement. In turn, Davis left us a rich legacy. He showed us how to live a life filled with laughter, resilience, kindness, loyalty, and independence. He was a true character, one of a kind.
To celebrate Davis’ life, there will be a memorial service and reception on Saturday, June 25 beginning at 10:00am at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 100 Pine Hill Road, in Bedford, MA.
We ask that contributions in his memory be made to Melmark New England, a school providing residential, educational, and rehabilitative services for children, adolescents, and adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, and developmental disabilities. Please go to:
https://melmarkne.ejoinme.org/MyPages/DonationPage/tabid/158453/Default.aspx.aspx