Mr. James Ray “Babe” Cowan of  Albany, Kentucky passed away on Saturday December 6, 2025, at the Medical Center of Albany, having attained the age of 65 years, 3 months, and 10 days. He was born in Albany, Kentucky on Friday, August 27, 1960, the son of James & Leah (Neal) Cowan. He was of the Christian faith and worked as a truck driver for a Fertilizer Company. He loved to hunt, fish, watch traffic, and he cherished his time most with his family, especially when it came to spoiling his great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Ronnie Cowan, and Johnny Cowan.

He is survived by nephew, Josh (& April) Cowan of Albany, Kentucky, nieces, Jessica (& Kenny) Neal of Albany, Kentucky, Savannah (& Dan) Bacon of Cookeville, Tennessee, great-nephews, Jackson Cowan, Luke Cowan, great-nieces, Cheyenne Neal, Megan Neal, Makenna Neal, Scarlett Bacon, Kayleigh Neal, sisters-in-law Sandy Cowan, and Tammy Cowan. Several cousins and friends also survive.

The funeral service was conducted on Tuesday December 9, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. C.S.T. in the Memory Chapel of the Campbell-New Funeral Home, with Bro. Kenny Neal & Bro. Donnie Shelley officiating. Burial was in the Locust Grove Cemetery in Clinton County, Kentucky. Casket bearers were Mark Claborn, Kolton Marcum, Todd Butler, BJ Butler, Rick Elmore, Justin Shelton, Kenny Neal and Gilbert Daniel.  

Campbell-New Funeral Home of Albany, Kentucky, was honored to be in charge of all arrangements.