COWDEN, GEORGE MALCOLM (1930 ~ 2025). The following is an obituary for George Cowden, former member of the Texas House of Representatives. The obituary was provided by Weed, Corley, Fish Funeral Home of Austin.
George Malcolm Cowden was born in San Antonio, Texas on December 29, 1930 to Frances Willard Coleman Cowden and George Cowden. He grew up on the family ranch in Frio County, graduating from Pearsall High School in 1949. After a brief time at Tarleton State, he attended Baylor University, earning Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees. While at Baylor, he met and fell in love with Mollie Waldrop from Jackson, Tennessee. They married on August 15, 1952. Mother and Dad began their lives together in Waco, then spent some time in Illinois and Japan during George’s time in the Air Force. Returning to Waco, Mother and Dad had four children – Gaylynn, Gordon, Graves and George III. After earning his law degree, Dad began the practice of law in Waco. Later, the family lived in Dallas and Austin.
Dad believed in service and over the years gave of his professional and personal time to various organizations in which he became involved. His service included:
Texas State Representative from McLennan County
First Assistant to the Attorney General of Texas
Chairman of the Texas State Board of Insurance
Trustee for the Hillcrest Baptist Hospital
Trustee for San Marcos Baptist Academy
Trustee for Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas
President of the Baylor Ex-Students Association
President of the Baylor Law Alumni Association
Baylor University Trustee
Initial Member and later Chairman of the Texas Public Utility Commission
Director of the Texas Baptist Foundation
Church Deacon and Committee Member
Dad enjoyed hunting, fishing, Baylor sports (most of the time), wood carving, travel, reading and gatherings with family and friends. He is survived by his children – Gaylynn Kendall (husband Ken), Graves Cowden, George Cowden III (wife Shirley), grandchildren Hallie Wallace (husband Jason), Rachel Salim (husband Steve), George Cowden IV (wife Kensie), Kristian Cowden, Weston Cowden (wife Natasha), Brooke Cowden and Cierra Cowden, and great grandchildren Sadie Jane Wallace, Charlotte Rose Wallace, Helen Mae Cowden, Catherine Blake Cowden, George Hardin Cowden and Boaz Gordon Cowden.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Mollie; son, Gordon; and his parents and sisters.
The family is ever grateful for the kind and loving care given Dad by his care-givers – Anselma Martinez, Maria Solis Soto, Remi Olivia Solis, Octavio Zamora, Teri Gonzales, Crystal Moldonado, Joel Mulligan, Stacy Martinez, Lakesha Martin and the staff of Faith and Lovable Homecare.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Children’s Emergency Relief International, Austin Smiles and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 28 at 4:00 p.m. at Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home, 5416 Parkcrest Dr. Austin Texas 78731. Burial will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 29 at the Texas State Cemetery, 909 Navasota Street, Austin Texas 78702, with services to follow at 11:00 a.m. Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home, 5416 Parkcrest Dr. Austin Texas 78731.
Pallbearers are Frank Cash (honorary), Kevin Dinnin, Bobby Feather, Alan Griffin, Bob Ownby, Rick Parker (honorary), Glenn Payne, Silas Ragsdale, George Ramsey (honorary), Bobby Jack Rushing, John Tatum (honorary), and Octavio Zamora.
Dad asked that all the ladies wear bright colors for the celebration!
