John Thomas Cowart was born on 4 May 1911, at Strawn, Palo Pinto, TX to Thomas "Wash"ington Cowart & Evelyn Holland.1 I often heard him called "J.T.". Family tradition tells that his mother passed away when he was an infant; he lost his father around the age of five. It is unclear where either Wash or Evelyn are buried at this time.
His father was remarried before 1916 to Calla Sorgee (1885-). On the 1920 Federal Census, Calla Cowart is listed as head of household, Frank Cowart, and J.T. Cowart residing at Strawn, TX.2
Only 15 [years old] and eager to see other parts of Texas, J.T. ran away from home. His journey finally took him to Henderson County, TX where he met, and fell in love with Lena Mary Richardson (daughter of James Jerome Richardson & Eula Hutchison). They were married on 29 Oct 1929, at Athens, Henderson, TX.3 Incidentally, this was the same day of the "Great Stock Market Crash"; this in turn lead to the "Great Depression"!
"J.T." was a city boy thru and thru. However, Lena taught him to farm raising cotton. They had farms at: Athens, Olney, Trenton, and Leonard TX. Later he would also drive truck and work as a security guard. Between 1931-1949 they had nine children: Mary Evelyn, Thomas Jerome, Bobby Eugene, Roy Jimmie, Johnie Leo, Martha Jane, Billy Richard, Jackie Ray, and Barbara Ann.
He wouldn't speak of his childhood, however, later in life he learned to laugh. He loved liver & onions, donut holes, chewing tobacco, and fishing. His first wife (Lena) passed away on 25 Mar 1978; he married on 22 Aug 1981 to Emily Shadid. He passed away in the early hours of 31 Oct 1996 at Sherman, Grayson, TX. He is missed greatly!
Footnote
1. John Thomas Cowart death certificate
2. 1920 Federal Census; Strawn, Palo Pinto, TX, E.D. 209 Sheet 11B
3. J.T. Cowart/Lena Richardson marriage license dated 29 Oct 1929.
