Randy Eugene Cowles, 76, resident of Chester, NH since 1986, passed away Wednesday February 26, 2025, in Portsmouth Regional Hospital in Portsmouth, NH.
He was born on January 6, 1949 in Woburn, MA, a son of Ransom Smith and Miriam (Walker) Cowles. Randy enlisted in the United States Navy in 1966 and primarily served on the USS Kitty Hawk during the Vietnam war. After his active duty service, Randy married Sandra Carr and started a family with the birth of his son Michael, and purchased a home in Derry, New Hampshire. Randy spent many years as a volunteer firefighter for the East Derry fire Department. Randy continued his family with the birth of his daughter Angela and settled into their last home in Chester New Hampshire. Randy retired from True Value as a truck driver, after driving for them for over 25 years. During his career with True Value he received many awards and certificates for his countless hours and miles of driving and community service. He received recognition from the United States House of Representatives, and the New Hampshire State Senate as Master Truck Driver by logging over one million accident free miles and devoting countless hours to community service and volunteer work, including youth athletics. He was also named driver of the year by True Value and the state several times throughout his career. In addition to the many awards and certificates he earned, he also represented True Value in many state and national level truck rodeos. Outside of his driving career, he enjoyed riding his motorcycle, working with his hands, tools and helping others repair their homes as well as his own. In his retirement he enjoyed spending time with his family. He also enjoyed his weekly gathering with friends for coffee.
He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Sandra (Carr) Cowles of Chester; his two children, son, Michael Cowles of Ohio; daughter, Angela Rullo and her husband Ben Rullo of Massachusetts; three grandchildren, Benjamin, Aiden and Skyla; sister, Claire Hollinger, as well as several extended family members and friends.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 4:00pm to 5:30pm at the Peabody Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 15 Birch Street, Derry, NH with a time of sharing to follow at 5:30 pm. A burial ceremony will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025 at 2:00 pm at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Connery Ave, Buzzards Bay, MA 02542.