As we kick off a new year of Stroll Oak Creek, we would love to introduce you to the Cowan family. Meet RJ and Bethany, and their three kids: nine-year-old Elijah, seven-year-old Ezra, and brand new one-month-old Maddie. Along with the dog, Wilson, the Cowans have been in Oak Creek since July of 2024, having moved to the neighborhood for access to trails, proximity to restaurants and stores, and the closeness of parks. They are happy to be here in Oak Creek, and we’re happy to help you get to know them a little bit in this issue.

 

RJ is originally from Tyler, and Bethany is from South Carolina. Neighbors might know RJ from Run Tyler, which he owns; he is very active in the local running and cycling communities. It was on one of these runs that Bethany and RJ first met. RJ was running in the opposite direction on a single track trail in Tyler State Park and Bethany was walking her dog. Coming around a blind corner on the narrow trail, RJ almost ran into Bethany, but being the athlete he was, dodged her (just barely, according to the Cowans) and kept running. When he was done with his run, he saw her at the front of the lake and went to apologize for “almost mowing her over like a linebacker.” They struck up a banter and the rest is history.

 

RJ and Bethany aren’t the only active ones in the family; the kiddos stay busy themselves. The boys like to play soccer, and have even competed in some local kids races. When they’re not on the run, they enjoy being creative with Legos. Maddie isn’t old enough to run (or walk) yet, but she does love drinking milk, snuggling, and staring at the Cowan’s Christmas tree.

 

As a family, the Cowans enjoy family game nights, bike rides, and enjoying s’mores and a campfire. They like going to Tyler State Park, taking the kids to trampoline parks, biking or running on Legacy Trail, and socializing at True Vine. Whatever they can do to have a good time together is good for the Cowans. One of those ways is by celebrating Pippylonckentrace. If you didn’t know it before, you know it now. Pippylonckentrace is a holiday invented by Ezra Cowan himself. It’s a holiday celebrated every year on January 6th. “It’s primarily an excuse to eat cake,” the Cowans say.

 

In their professional lives, the Cowans have found fields that speak to their passions and interests. RJ is a full-time Senior Lecturer at UT Tyler, and coaches runners, cyclists, and triathletes on the side. “I ran in high school and college and eventually gravitated to Kinesiology,” says RJ. ”I now teach in the field and also apply the concepts to help exercisers and athletes reach their goals. Seeing people accomplish their biggest dreams is what I love the most about my job.”

 

Bethany, on the other hand, is a Nurse Practitioner in Electrophysiology at Christus. Her grandmother was a nurse, and inspired Bethany’s interest in nursing as a profession at a young age. “As a nurse practitioner, I truly love spending time to know my patients and helping them achieve their health goals,” Bethany shares. “Additionally, I have really enjoyed my field- electrophysiology which is a subspecialty of cardiology that focuses on the management of abnormal heart rhythms.”

 

Grateful for family, friends, Jesus, and good health, the Cowans bring a lively energy to Oak Creek. As we welcome in the new year, we look forward to seeing all they accomplish, and can’t wait to get to know them along the way.