Val Nelson Cowley peacefully returned to his heavenly home on June 25, 2007 after a valiant battle with kidney disease. We will cherish memories of his gruff voice, broad smile, and vivacious personality.

Val was born December 30, 1950 in Ogden, Utah, to Samuel Nelson and Ruth Kygar Cowley. He graduated from Morgan High School. He served as an LDS missionary in the Southwest Indian Mission where he learned to speak Navajo and fell in love with the stories of the native people. He married Marie Staples in the Ogden Temple on June 8, 1973. Val served in the US Navy as a Sea-Bee. They eventually settled in Logan, Utah to raise their three boys.

Val is best known for his world-renowned talent for Dutch Oven cooking. He placed in and won the World Championship Dutch Oven Cookoff on more than one occasion and continued on to run a successful catering business, as well as teach local community classes and publish three cookbooks.

Val loved to read and was a big history buff. He was especially knowledgeable about the gospel and served many times as a teacher, although there was no calling he loved more than scouting.

Val's family is particularly grateful that his young niece Michelle Jones, currently serving in the Omaha Nebraska Mission, willingly gave her kidney so that Val could enjoy another eighteen months with his grandchildren.

Val is survived by his wife Marie, sons Paul (Melanny) Ames, IA, Mark (Pennie), Garland, UT, Ryan (Rebecca),Roy, UT, sisters Ruth Ann, Mary Kay and Carla and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Ruth Cowley, and his brother Dick.

Val rose to every challenge and hardship and lived for his wife and grandchildren. The family expresses their heart-felt thanks to Dr. Robert Nash, the Logan and Bonneville Dialyses centers, and all the nurses and doctors who lovingly cared for Val.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 29, 2007 at 11:30 a.m. at the Bridgerland Park 1st Ward, 825 North East 200 West, Logan, Utah. Friends may call at the Allen-Hall Mortuary on Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or at the chapel from 10:00 a.m. to 11 :00 a.m. prior to the service. Interment, Coalville Cemetery at 4:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, Val would like donations be made to the LDS Missionary Fund. Condolences may be sent to the family at Allen Mortuaries.