Gene Hargett Cowell

Gene Hargett Cowell, of Raleigh, N.C., passed away peacefully on September 5, 2023, in Durham, N.C. at the age of 77 years old. Gene’s passing resulted from medical complications associated with A.L.S.

Gene was born in Jacksonville, N.C. on January 19, 1946, to Marion Aubrey Cowell, Sr., and Alice Sanders Cowell. He served in the United States Air Force from 1966-1970 and received an honorable discharge with the rank of Sergeant, serving an additional two years in the Reserves.

Following his United States Air Force service, Gene attended and graduated with a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Gene built his 50-year career in the Commercial Real Estate business, most recently serving as VP of Brokerage, Land and Retail for York Properties, Inc. in Raleigh, N.C., where he has been employed for over 20 years.

While focused and dedicated to his professional life, he also enjoyed cuisine, wine, sailing, travel, and Tar Heel basketball in his personal life. One of his favorite things to do was reminisce about family and the “good ‘ol days.” Gene was extremely proud of his family lineage and his home state of North Carolina.

Gene is survived by his daughter, Leslie Erin Cowell of Mount Pleasant, S.C., his brother, Marion Aubrey Cowell, Jr. of Charlotte, N.C., his niece and nephew, Lindsay Grey Cowell and Mark Pettiway Cowell respectively, as well as many loving cousins and extended family.

To honor Gene’s wishes, there is no memorial or funeral service planned. For those who would like to donate in honor of his memory, please consider the North Carolina Chapter of the A.L.S. Association (4 Blount Street, Suite 200, Raleigh, N.C.  27601) or the Paralyzed Veterans of America (P.O. Box 758589, Topeka, KS 66675-8589.)