Leah Ann Mccowen

Leah Ann McCowen, of Las Cruces, NM, passed away on February 9, 2024 at the age of 67. Born May 17th, 1956 to Richard and Velma McCowen, Leah was the youngest of 3 children. She attended Las Cruces High School and New Mexico State University where she upheld the family tradition of being an Aggie, receiving both a bachelor’s in 1978, and a master’s degree of education in 1986. Leah was a lifelong athlete playing basketball, volleyball and softball. The passing of Title IX was a momentous event for her as she was finally able to “just play” the sports that she loved. This love of sports and multiple injuries lead her to a career as an athletic trainer. Some highlights of her long career included being the athletic trainer for the 1983-84 NCAA national champions USC Women Trojan’s basketball team, working the 1986 Olympics in Los Angeles and serving as program director of the NMSU athletic training program from 1989-2008. Her legacy continues at NMSU today through two scholarships she created for students pursuing degrees in athletic training.

Always into athletics, she was a huge advocate for sportsmanship at any event, unhappy with any booing from the crowd, and you could always find her at any NMSU game cheering on her beloved Aggies. Later in life, she became a hockey fan, and would never dream of missing the Olympic games. She was a fan of epic summer road trips with her family which involving driving, camping, and lots of Frito pie and smores. Her favorite things to do were being outdoors, going to football games, and camping.

Leah was above all else, a beloved Friend, Mentor, Mother, and Grandmother. She loved helping others and was passionate about professional involvement, encouraging many to follow in her footsteps to serve their profession. She was a blessing to all who knew her. Leah will be deeply missed by all, and is survived by her daughter Kate Carver (Josh), son Joe Putman, granddaughter Izzy, and siblings Margaret McCowen, and David McCowen. She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Velma McCowen.

Leah was a member of Las Cruces Morningstar United Methodist Church where her services will be held at 11:00 am on March 2nd (2941 Morningstar Dr., Las Cruces, NM 88011). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a GoFundMe account to assist with burial costs.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Getz funeral home.