Wesley Swain Cowan

My dear friend D. Reed Cowan lost his young son over the weekend in a tragic accident. Wesley was born three months to the day after the triplets. I was on the floor crew when Reed started hosting the station's morning show, and we became fast friends. I've always felt close to Reed because we have the same big hair... just one of many other things we have in common.

I'm sick at heart.

Below is Wesley's obituary. Thoughts and prayers to Reed and his family. Love you, man.

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Wesley Swain Cowan

March 16, 2002 - April 23, 2006

BE HAPPY EVERY DAY

Our golden-locked, curly-headed, ice-blue-eyed baby boy, Wesley Swain Cowan, found himself in angels' arms on the evening of April 23, 2006, after a tragic accident.

This beautiful boy was the hope and dream of his mother, Stephanie Swain Martinsen, and his father, Darrin Reed Cowan. On March 16, 2002, their dream came true and in the middle of a blinding snow storm, our Olympic baby took his first breath. His sister Jade cut the cord as this little miracle boy cried for the first time, filling our souls with a music, a laughter and a joy beyond all measure these last four years.

Even as an infant, on Sunday mornings, his mommy and daddy and sissy taught him to dance in a little cottage on Imperial Street. In the years he traversed this earth, he continued to dance with a rhythm in his steps and a song in his heart.

He loved to sing "I Am A Child Of God" and "You Are My Sunshine." He changed the lyrics to say: "You make me happy, when skies are great."

He had a motto: BE HAPPY EVERY DAY. Because of his example in our lives, he made it so.

He loved his cousins - Samantha, James, Matt, Kaden, Weston, Tyler, Lola and Lela - celebrating Easter with each of them just last week. He loved his sissy who was a dedicated and loving protector.

Wesley went to Disneyland for the first time in his life this past Christmas, where he waved at Santa Claus and napped on his dad's lap in the ice cream parlor in-between fun. It was on this vacation where Wesley first placed his little toes in the ocean near Diver's Cove in Laguna Beach. He said: "Dad, CAN-I-FORNIA is the best trip I've ever been on." Wesley was also introduced to skiing for the first time this year. He loved every minute on the snow with his mom, sissy and very special friends.

Wesley was a student at the Jewish Community Center's early child development program and was loved by his teachers.

This little boy bore the names of three of his great grandfathers: J. Wesley Jenson, Hank Swain and Reed Cowan. We send prayers to the divine that these grandpas will find our baby boy and make him their new fishing buddy, and Grandmas Donna and Jewell can make them a sack lunch complete with strawberries before they catch a whale.

The family would like to offer a special thanks to the men and women who worked so hard to bring life back into this little boy's body. Also the social workers at Primary Children's who were so kind.

Wesley is survived by his mother & sister, Stephanie S. Martinsen & Jadrianne Martinsen (Salt Lake City), his father D. Reed Cowan and his partner Gregory Abplanalp (Holladay).

Grandparents Dan Swain (Weiser, Idaho), Joseph and Teddie Evans (Vernal), Russell and Judy Cowan (Roosevelt) and a very large group of loving uncles, aunts and cousins.

We ask that all who read this hold your children a little tighter tonight. Give them their dreams. Look them in the eyes every day and tell them you love them.

Two separate celebrations of Wesley's life will be held at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park at 3401 South Highland Drive.

FATHER'S SERVICE 10 AM Friday the 28th of April. Friends of Reed Cowan may call one hour prior to the father's services.

MOTHER'S SERVICE 2 PM Friday the 28th of April. Friends of Stephanie Martinsen may call one hour prior to the mother's services.