James Callard Cowdery, 72, died unexpectedly at his home in Kingston, New Hampshire on January 16, 2026. His wife and dogs were with him. He was born in Mariemont, Ohio on August 5, 1953 but always considered Andover, Massachusetts his hometown. He was a graduate of Andover High School and enjoyed connecting with old friends.

Jimmy was a wonderful partner and best friend to his wife. He was the love of her life and she was his. They met in 1984 and enjoyed each other for over 40 years. They supported each other's interests, took good care of each other and made a great team. Jimmy was passionate about his dogs offering them tons of affection, daily walks, many snacks and special daily routines that the dogs loved. Taking the dogs to the beach, boating or on Maine vacations brought great joy to him. He talked frequently about all the dogs he had in his life with great affection and admiration, and had a special place in his heart for Jean Luc.

Jimmy had an exceptional and uncommonly close relationship with his son Jamie. He was so proud of him, and often reflected on what a wonderful and creative person Jamie is. They had many adventures and some memorable travel that Jimmy talked about often. Jamie made him proud of his legacy.

He loved his family and often reminisced about having lots of fun with his siblings as kids. He remained close with all of them over the years, and loved both traveling to see them and connecting on the phone. He was devoted to his wonderful mom who always encouraged his interests. He also became close to Joanna's immediate and extended family and always looked forward to family celebrations!

Jimmy had several great passions in addition to his love for his family: his dogs, boats and music. He had numerous motorboats during the years, starting with his childhood boat named Mr. Tub., and designed and built several. He created an innovative chambered hull design and built a 26' aluminum boat that was featured in Boat Builder Magazine. He might tell you this was his greatest creative achievement. The vessel provided Jimmy and his family with many excellent ocean adventures and wonderful memories. A few years ago, Jimmy spent a winter writing a book called My Obsession with Boats and Where It Led Me. He enjoyed writing about adventures, both good and challenging, with family and friends. It was a great trip if he could dock up to a dog-friendly restaurant! Jimmy found his bliss taking Joanna and his dogs on boating journeys to explore islands and beaches, and loved boating with friends (including "floating" at the dock!). He became known locally as "The Boat Guy", consulting and helping boat owners with boat-related problems. Jimmy also loved cars and motorcycles; he owned well over 100 vehicles in his life.

He was a talented musician who started playing guitar in his youth, and played in several different bands. He usually played bass, but could play keyboards, lead guitar, and drums and was a singer. His musical career started with playing at school dances, the Andover High library and "out back" concerts at the high school. He later played professionally in different venues. Jimmy wrote numerous songs over the years, some solo and some in collaboration with other musicians. He talked fondly of playing and performing with old friends. He continued to write and record music at home throughout his life, playing all the instruments. It is poetic that he was playing his favorite guitar, a Parker Fly, moments before he died.

Jimmy loved listening to music, and was most recently moved by David Gilmore and the Alan Parsons Project. (Time-Alan Parsons Project)

A lover of good design, Jimmy designed and built homes, additions, kitchens, cabinets, speakers, guitars and furniture. He had an aptitude for fixing things, and could fix anything, sometimes with just a hammer! He had many different jobs during his life, but most enjoyed design, unless something involved a boat.

Jimmy was a kind person and generous of spirit with little patience for mean people. He always wanted to make things pleasant and fun, and found humor in daily life. He was very clever and very funny in a creative way, with frequent quips, jokes and word play. He was also a very good listener. A loyal friend, he stayed in touch with friends from his youth and built great relationships with newer friends over time. He appreciated that his friends remained loyal to him.

James was extraordinarily brave and managed to get through several serious health issues with good grace, including open heart surgery in 2022 and two cancer diagnoses just last year. His positivity helped his wife and family to get through challenging times. He appreciated the support he received from family and caring friends, some of whom were like brothers and sisters to him.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Harriet Whitney Callard and James Ronald Cowdery, as well as his very close friend, Wendell Harmon. He is survived by his wife, Joanna Doyle, son James Kenneth Cowdery (Jamie), sister Marjorie Cowdery, brother John Cowdery and sister-in-law Glynnis Cowdery, Martha Cowdery and Michael Tomko, nephew Henry Cowdery, nieces Whitney Lytle and Alex Anderson, Erika Lytle and Ryan Toelle, and Callard Cowdery, great niece Eben, and great nephew Darrow. Arielle and Benjamin, his two cherished Golden Retrievers, are also missing him.

A private celebration of Jimmy's life for family and friends will be planned for spring.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Clarendon Early Education Services, Inc. (https://clarendonearlyeducationservices.org/), Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue (https://ygrr.org/), or an organization of your choice in honor of James.

Goodbye my love
Maybe for forever
Goodbye my friend
The tide waits for me
Who knows when
We shall meet again, if ever
But time keeps flowing
Like a river (on and on)
To the sea, to the sea

(Alan Parsons Project)