Richard Allen Cowles of Helena, MT passed away suddenly on July 10th, 2024.

Richard was a beloved husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.  He was known for his love of Seattle sports, his family, fishing, seafood, and animals.  He especially loved dogs and they loved him, including his pup Louie and all who came before him.   He never missed a birthday, Christmas nor the opportunity for a thoughtful gesture, sending cards and gifts to let his loved ones know he was thinking of them.  He enjoyed traveling to see his grandkids sporting events and special moments!  And traveling to California, Wenatchee and Westport for family time. He was so thrilled when his son Richard took him to Superbowl XLVIII and he got to see his Seahawks beat the Broncos.

A lifelong resident of the Northwest, Richard was born on September 1st of 1940 and spent many years in Westport as a commercial fisherman.  He is a member of the Chinook Tribe and has deep roots along the waterways and Pacific Ocean.  He served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War and traveled extensively during his deployments.  He was on the USS Bexxar, one of the ships that made it within sight of the beach of Cuba before Kennedy ordered them to turn back, during the Cuban missile crisis. He and his family spent some years in Wenatchee and ran a floral and garden center business there.  He retired in the Everett, WA area after working for the City of Everett.

On December 5, 2005, Mr. Cowles married Jacki Wrigg.  Post retirement they moved to Helena, MT.  They enjoyed traveling and spending time with kids., grandkids and friends.  They often went to listen to son in law Rod playing music at beautiful Montana venues and enjoyed cookouts and gatherings at Kim and Rod's. Richard enjoyed spending time with Son in-law Kam and his family as well as Son in-law Kelley and his children.  Most of all, he enjoyed his walks with Louie, watching the birds and wildlife with his beloved wife Jacki from their deck.

There is great love for Richard, and he's greatly missed!  He is survived by his wife Jacki, son Richard Cowles, wife Noriko and grandsons Grant & Jefferson, His son Rob and grandchildren Ella and Carl, His daughter Jodi grandchildren Ashley, Kole & Amaya, and his brother Ronnie Cowles, step children Kim Morrison, husband Rod; and step sons Kelley Wrigg and Kam Wrigg, wife Megan and grandchildren Lexi, Torri, Nick, Russell, Hannah, and many other beloved friends and family. He is preceded in death by his parents Fay and Hilda Cowles, his twin Virginia May, his sister Phyliss Cowles Nelson, brother Lawrence Cowles, nephews Donnie and Larry Cowles, Rodney Nyhus and niece Connie Cowles.

An internment will take place at Montana State Veteran's Cemetery, 3550 Heroes Road, Fort Harrison, Montana on July 22nd at 10:30 AM, with a reception to follow at 46 N Last Chance Gulch Suites D and E, New York Building.  Parking is free in the Park Avenue parking garage for one hour, and the skybridge pedestrian tunnel takes you right there.

Simple Cremation Montana has assisted the family.