Edward Sowden, 94, of Queen Creek, Arizona passed away
Friday, April 3, 2020, peacefully in his home with his best friend and son,
John Mayo, by his side.
Born January 14, 1926, in Duryea, Pennsylvania to George
and Edith (Brown) Sowden, Ed is described as a “hell of a good man” and a 21st
century John Wayne in every aspect. He dedicated his life to his family and
loved his wife, Wanda Sowden, immensely. There is nothing he wouldn’t do for
her. They married in 1974 and were never apart from each other. Ed spent his
life committed to her even after he laid her to rest in 2006. While Ed had a
difficult childhood, growing up in a coal-mining town of Pennsylvania, he would
eventually graduate high school, join the United States Air force, and when he
was 27 years old he moved to Arizona and made that his forever home, living in
the areas of Mesa, Chandler, and Queen Creek, where he spent 34 years as a
Civil Service Engineer.
Ed loved to spend his free time hunting, fishing,
camping, and adoring his lovely bride. He is remembered as a “cowboy of the old
country” and loved being outdoors. His love, loyalty, and dedication could not
be matched.
Ed is preceded in death by his wife of 32 years, Wanda
(Beekman) Sowden; his late wife and the mother of his son, Keith, Helen
(Conaway) Sowden, and his parents, George and Edith.
He lives on in the hearts of his sons John and Keith
(Kay); grandchildren Michael (Jessica), Mimi, and Andy; and ten
great-grandchildren.