VALDOSTA – A Valdosta State University and Lowndes High School graduate who battled a rare disease passed away on Wednesday.
Michael Cowger, 22, suffered from Li-Fraumeni syndrome, an inherited genetic disorder that increases the chances of cancer development. In December 2014, doctors found a large, cancerous tumor in Cowger’s chest. He underwent chemotherapy, but the treatments eventually stopped working.
Cowger died at home in his room with family surrounding him.
While at VSU, Cowger maintained a 3.65 grade point average as he pursued Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in both economics and finance. He was honored during a special early graduation ceremony in West Hall in March.
VSU Interim President Cecil P. Staton and his wife, Catherine, expressed their condolences through an emailed statement to faculty, staff and students.
In lieu of flowers Michael’s family said that he would be delighted if you would befriend a stranger, reconnect with an old friend, smile at a baby, thank the person with the thankless job, do one day of volunteer work at a hospice or senior citizens home, have a chat with a homeless person, donate blood, earnestly forgive someone, humbly ask for forgiveness, walk a dog at the animal shelter, etc. They said flowers die, but kindness is eternal, and if we teach these things to our children, then Michael will live on in us forever.Please join Catherine and me in keeping his family and friends in our thoughts and prayers.
A celebration of Michael’s life will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 12, at Davis Farm, 3982 Bemiss Knights Academy Road, Valdosta. Friends are encouraged to dress casually and comfortably — preferably in shorts, T-shirts, and flip-flops — and bring a memory or story to share. Interment will take place in Pleasanton, Texas, at a later date. Condolences to the family may be expressed online at www.mclanecares.com.
