Ivan Oscar Cowley

Ivan Oscar Cowley, 86, passed away April 5, 2017 at his home in Venice. He was born August 11, 1930 in Venice to Anthony Oscar and Irene Shaw Cowley. He married Pearl Dawn Daniels on February 20, 1950 in the Manti Temple. She preceded him in death on November 10, 2004.
Ivan was born, raised, educated, married, raised his family, and considered himself very lucky to be able to live in Sevier County.
He was an active member of the LDS Church where he served faithfully in various callings, including bishop of the Venice Ward and also as a counselor in the Richfield Utah Stake Presidency.
Ivan was very civic-minded. He has served on both the Vermillion Canal and Otter Creek Reservoir Boards and served as president of both for many years.  He was the innovator of the Upper Sevier River Automated Water Control System.  He served as a Sevier County Commissioner, a member of the Sevier School Board. He also served on the Federal Land Bank Board, Farm Bureau, and National Cattleman’s Association, where he received the Legacy Award.   He received the Utah Young Farmer of the Year Award, he also was a recipient of the SUU Founders Day Award.
He was very involved with strengthening the youth in his area as he participated in 4-H, FFA, and in the Southern Utah Junior Livestock Show, where he also served for a time as president. He was also involved with the Boy Scouts of America and received the Silver Beaver Award of Merit.
Ivan is survived by his children: Kristine (Brent) Carlile, Cedar City; Dawn (Blake) Camp, Rosalyn (Brent) Dalley, Bradford (Deanna) Cowley, Bart (Betty) Cowley and Noel (Rebecca) Cowley, all of Venice; foster children: Darrell Platero and Jason Begay; 19 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren; siblings: Chad Cowley, Tuscon, AZ; Ervin (Jerry) Cowley, Boise, ID; and Brent (Julie) Cowley, Richfield.
Also preceded in death by parents; daughter, Verlene Cowley; brother, Angus Merrill (Marva) Cowley; sister-in-law Marilyn Cowley; grandson, Matthew Brent Dalley; great-grandsons, Cache Carlile, Grayson Carlile
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in the Venice Ward Chapel. Friends may call Monday evening from 5-8 p.m. at the Magleby Mortuary in Richfield and Tuesday at the ward chapel in Venice from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Venice Cemetery