Wright Cowden Jr.

Midland says goodbye to a native son.

Wright Cowden, Jr. passed away on August 24, 2021. He was born on July 22, 1940 in Midland, Texas to Wright Cowden, Sr. and Evelyn P. Cowden, and was the oldest of their three children. The Cowden Family was one of the pioneer ranching families of Midland.

Having grown up in Midland, Wright exemplified true West Texas values – he worked hard, played harder, and greeted everyone with an easy smile and an engaging laugh. During his younger years, he worked on a fishing boat in the Northwest, bartended and surfed in Hawaii, was a ski instructor in Aspen, drilled oil wells in Hood County, Texas, and worked his family’s ranch in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. Wright was an avid outdoor sportsman, which included several big game hunts to Africa. He settled down in Midland to become President of the Ida Fay Cowden Foundation and the Nedwoc Corporation, and he invested in numerous oil & gas ventures. Wright was committed to the Midland community and generously supported numerous local non-profit organizations.

During the past quarter century, Wright and Melanie traveled the world – literally – making two around the world trips! They were married in Maui and returned every year to celebrate their anniversary. They loved to travel with friends, including cruises to the Mediterranean and Caribbean, and trips to Las Vegas, and Florida’s Redneck Riviera. In all of his travels, Wright could be found wearing his burnt orange Longhorn Crocs and was quick to announce his presence with a loud “Hook’em Horns!”

Whether it was ranching cattle near Santa Rosa, New Mexico, hunting with friends all over West Texas or drilling wells in Hood County, Texas, Wright left everyone better off for having known him. He saw the world but always called Midland home. He was a proud father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a devoted husband.

Wright is survived by his loving wife Melanie, daughter Sharon and her husband Tim Peddecord of Dallas, Texas, daughter Caran and her husband Doug Martin of Temple, Texas, grandchildren Hunter Martin and Jessica Martin, and his sister Carolyn Cowden and husband William Gigac of Dallas, Texas. He was preceded in death by parents, Wright Cowden, Sr. Evelyn Cowden; brother, Franklin Phillips Cowden; grandparents, Elliott F. Cowden and Ida Fay Cowden; great-grandparents, George Franklin “Doc” Cowden, Jr. and Luna Wright Cowden.

“The business of life is the acquisition of memories. In the end that’s all there is.” And memories make good stories. Wright’s stories earned him the title “The Most Interesting Man in the World.”

Celebration of Life Service will be held Monday, August 30, 2021 at 2:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church of Midland with Pastor Steve Schorr officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.