Cecil Grant Cowling
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Cecil Grant Cowling, 92 of Springdale, Ark., and a longtime resident of Hugo, Okla. He passed away peacefully on Aug. 7, 2026. Cecil was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. After 69 beautiful years of marriage, he has joined his beloved wife, Cecile, in eternal rest. Their life together was a testament to enduring love, devotion and family.
Cecil graduated from Hugo High School and received his college degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State College. He married Cecile on Dec. 28, 1956 and then spent the next 20 years proudly serving in the United States Navy. His distinguished service was a source of pride and reflected his dedication, courage and commitment to his country and won him the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star. He served in Vietnam, the Philippines, Iceland, with duty stations across the US. He was a member of the VP-40 air patrol squadron. The VP-40 seaplane, that he few on, is on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Fla. He ended his career as a Lieutenant Commander working at the Pentagon in naval intelligence. You can find one of his uniforms at the Frisco Depot Museum in Hugo. Following his retirement, he returned to Hugo, Okla., where he settled his family into the close-knit community. Cecil helped his father run the Cowling family grocery before he started teaching woodworking and photography at Hugo Junior High School. Cecil loved to fish, play golf and tennis, spend time with his grandchildren and travel, but no doubt his greatest joy was pulling the slot machine arm and believing the next pull could be the big one. We can only hope that heaven has a casino because he probably already found it. He was a member of the St. Marks Episcopal Church.
Cecil is survived by his children: Mark Cowling and wife, Vicki, Michael Cowling and wife, Michelle, and Leah Weber; grandchildren: Lauren Bravo and husband, Chris, Morgan Ludwick and husband, Zane, Megan Crowder and husband, James, Jacob Cowling and wife, Vicky, and Samuel Cowling and wife, Ashlee; great-grandchildren: Austin Stansbury, Nolan Stansbury, Owen Ludwick and Sawyer Cowling.
His legacy of love, service and devotion will live in the hearts of all who knew him. A family graveside memorial service will be held later in the fall. Donations in Cecil’s memory can be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Hugo Okla., or Circle of Life Hospice of Springdale Ark., for the exceptional care and services they provided Cecil in his final days.
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