Rogers Dale Coward

Rogers Dale Coward, age 89, of High Cove/Norton Community, passed away peacefully at home January 15, 2024. He was born May 24, 1934, in Webster, to the late Rogers and Gladys Dowdle Coward.

Dale served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War aboard the USS Henry Tucker. After his tour, he attended and graduated from Blanton Business College in Asheville. He was a Sunday School teacher at Cashiers United Methodist Church where he also served for many years as the church treasurer. He worked for the US Forest Service for 3 years and fondly spoke of his time spent on watch at the Round Mountain and Yellow Mountain fire towers. He retired from ConMet in Cashiers after 23 years as a warehouse supervisor. He worked for Moody-Connolly funeral home and later Melton Funeral home for 20 years in his retirement until the age of 75 when his twin grandchildren were born. He was an avid reader and loved crossword puzzles, enjoyed fishing, camping, and listening to bluegrass music.

Dale is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Bobbie Potts Coward; daughters, Tammy (Joe) Harrold of the Norton Community, Holly McJunkin of Mills River; grandchildren, Amanda Harrold, Julie Sorgen, twins Chloe and Connor Dale McJunkin; great-grandchildren, Natalie Hollingsworth, Blakely Hyer, and Mason Sorgen.  

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Julius Coward; sisters, June Coward, Linda Coward, and Gloria Rodriguez.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday January 20, 2024, in the Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Services, Sylva NC. The family will be receiving friends from 1:00 until 2:00 prior to the Service at the Funeral Home. Reverend Rick Potts and Reverend Mike Farmer will be officiating.