Executive director for Houston County Association for Exceptional Citizens remembered
Tod Cowart, the executive director for the Houston County Association for Exceptional Citizens for more than eight years, died Sunday at Houston Medical Center from complications from pneumonia.
He was 53.
Cowart served as executive director for the nonprofit since July 16, 2007. Also known as the Happy Hour Service Center, the agency has been serving the developmentally disabled since 1956 by providing residential housing, life skills training and employment programs.
"The individuals here, he was always a joy with them," said Letitia Peebles, associate director of administration at Happy Hour.
Cowart participated in Happy Hour events such as dances, festivals and bowling, she said.
"He would bowl. He would dance with them," Peebles recalled. "We have annual Christmas parties for our residential individuals ... (and) he would actually sing a song for the individuals. He had a great voice.
"He was just very passionate about the work he was doing here at Happy Hour," Peebles said. "He is missed greatly by both staff and the individuals here at Happy Hour."
Cowart was instrumental in establishing Happy Hour Service Center's Exceptional Mail & More, a commercial mail operation at 202 North Davis Drive in Warner Robins next to the former post office.
Exceptional Mail & More, which opened Feb. 1, 2011, was the result of public outcry over the closing of the North Davis post office. The post office was a branch office of the main post office on Russell Parkway.
Under Cowart's leadership, the nonprofit also purchased the building that had housed the branch office at 200 North Davis Drive and converted it into a workshop for its clients.
He also expanded work opportunities and helped started the Ronnie Jones Senior Program that provided outings and activities for senior citizens served by Happy Hour. The program was named after the late Ronnie Jones, who was served by Happy Hour for many years.
"Over the last couple of years Tod became a great friend and was an asset to this community," Warner Robins Mayor Randy Toms said by email. "He was always concerned about his friends and co-workers and their wellbeing. He will be greatly missed as he ministered to an important part of society."
Cowart considered his work at Happy Hour to be a ministry, according to his obituary.
Born in McRae, Cowart grew up in Eastman and was a 1980 graduate of Dodge County High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in accounting in 1985 from the University of Georgia. He was active at Central Baptist Church. While coaching at Warner Robins American Little League, his daughter's All-Star team won the state championship, according to his obituary.
He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Susan Walker Cowart of Warner Robins, their two adult children, siblings and many other family members.
Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at McCullough Funeral Home. The funeral service is at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Central Baptist Church. Burial follows at Parkway Memorial Gardens.
To contact writer Becky Purser, call 256-9559, or find her on Twitter@becpurser.
This story was originally published December 21, 2015 at 7:02 PM with the headline "Executive director for Houston County Association for Exceptional Citizens remembered ."