Albert "Al" M. Cowell Jr.

Albert “Al” M. Cowell, Jr., 92, of Bradenton Florida, was called home to be with the Lord on June 25th at Tidewell Hospice-Bradenton Hospice House.

He was born at home in Silver Spring, Maryland to Albert Myron Cowell, Sr. and Bernice Irma Cowell. He graduated from Augusta Military Academy in Fort Defiance, Virginia in 1949. He then attended Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania until coming home to help his father with the family masonry business, A. Myron Cowell, Inc.

He served 2 years in the Korean War (1953-1955) as a company clerk at the rank of Sergeant in the U.S. Army. Upon returning home from the war he resumed working with his father and brother in the masonry business eventually taking over as President of the business upon his father’s death. He was very active in the construction industry, especially with the Masonry Institute of America. He was also very active in Rotary International, Farmer’s Club, Ducks Unlimited, and many other community organizations. He served on the board of Montgomery General Hospital-Olney, MD and the boards of local banks. He and his family were charter members of The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Olney, Md. He was an active member of the church devoting his time and energy to serving on the church council, as an usher, participating in smaller group activities, and helping the youth group out on occasion. His family masonry business was involved in the construction of the original church building.

Al met the love of his life, Shirley, in 1956 in Washington, D.C. when his older sister, June, introduced them after giving birth to her first child. Shirley happened to be her nurse. They were married for 67 years. They started their life together in Beltsville before building a house on the family farm in Ashton. They eventually moved to the Eastern Shore of Maryland where they purchased a farm on Leadenham Creek in Bozman. Al loved their time on the farm where he was able to raise Hereford Beef cattle, work around the farm, and go boating with friends and family while still working part time with his sons in the family business. He loved having his children, grandchildren, and friends visit the farm where he would serve them steamed crabs fresh from the creek out back. He also loved playing cards with his grandchildren in the great room.

Al loved to travel, and he and Shirley traveled to many places. They traveled on their own, with friends on group trips and with their children. They visited Anna Maria Island and enjoyed it so much they continued to visit every winter until they eventually retired to Bradenton, Florida.

They had four children, eight grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Al will always be remembered for his outgoing personality, generous heart, sense of humor, love of country music and the Lord, and his many antics. He never met a stranger. We couldn’t have asked for a better role model, husband, father, and grandfather. We will miss him every day. His memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, Myron and Irma, his sister June, and his brother, Richard. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, his children, Steven, David (Debbie), Lynda (Wayne), and Matthew (Kate), his grandchildren Alex, Ashley (Ricardo), Chris (Chelsy), Cheyenne (Johnny), Erik, Sheridan (Nate), Lukas, and Abigail, great grandchildren Everley, Camden, and Kaycee, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held on August 17, 2024 at 10am at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd located at 4200 Olney Laytonsville Rd, Olney, Md 20832.

Interment will be private with family only at Fort Lincoln Cemetery in Brentwood, MD.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Al’s favorite charities, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and The Wounded Warrior Project.