James Cowart dies at 87
Former Oakland Chamber of Commerce official served 34 years
By Katherine Pfrommer, STAFF WRITER
Inside Bay Area
James William Cowart, a 34-year member of the Oakland Chamber of Commerce
who was known for doing more than what was expected of him, died Aug. 30 in Danville after
suffering a stroke. He was 87.
"When others were out on their break, he would stay in his office working,"
wife Virginia Cowart of Danville said. Besides his work ethic, he was known for his sunny
disposition, extensive knowledge of city issues, and organization, she said.
Born Aug. 3, 1918, in Minneapolis, Mr. Cowart moved to Oakland when he was 4.
As a teenager, he was an accomplished tennis player who was highly ranked in Northern California
divisions.
He graduated from Oakland High School and earned his degree in economics from UC
Berkeley in 1940.
After Pearl Harbor was attacked, Mr. Cowart joined the U.S. Navy and served in
the Pacific. In 1942, while working at the U.S. Navy Registered Publications Issuing Office at
Pearl Harbor, he met future wife Virginia, a civilian Navy employee. The couple married in Hawaii
in 1944 and had two children.
Mr. Cowart joined the Oakland Chamber of Commerce as research and statistical
director in 1945. Under his direction, the organization put together an exhaustive list of Alameda
County manufacturers and wholesalers that won accolades from many contributors for being so
well-researched.
He served as secretary of the tax committee, where he made numerous recommendations
on federal, state and local taxing issues. This led to a post at the Tax Forum of the U.S. Chamber
of Commerce.
In 1974, he was named assistant general manager of the Oakland Chamber of Commerce.
He also served as past director of the American Marketing Association, and a key Census worker for
the Alameda County U.S. Bureau of Census.
Upon retiring in 1978, Mr. Cowart and his wife traveled the world. Mrs. Cowart
estimates they made 28 trips, including to Africa, China and Russia.
However, they'd always make it back to Hawaii for her class reunions or to celebrate their anniversary,
she said.
He remained active and played tennis until a few years ago.
"He was in court No. 1 at the Crow Canyon Country Club," she said. "He was known
as 'Mr. Tennis' but wasn't very competitive. He liked the game, but he didn't like to enter too
many tournaments because he'd always win. He told me he liked to let someone else win for a change.
He was real compassionate that way."
The couple did everything together, said Mrs. Cowart, describing her husband as
devoted and loving.
In addition to his wife of 61 years, Mr. Cowart is survived by daughter Shirley
Ann Lutzky, son James Cowart and granddaughter Anna Lutzky. Grandson Aaron Lutzky preceded him in death.
Services have been held.