Elton (Al) was born in Oakland, California to Homer Roy Cowles Sr. of Chico, and Mary Annie Engelhardt of San Francisco, grandson of Joseph Willis Cowles and Neva Osborn, great grandson of James Cornelius Cowles and Martha Adeline England, all of Indian Territory, Oklahoma.  Al had three brothers, Homer Roy Jr, Roy Elton, and Robert Ernest, whom have preceded him in his transition.

Al grew up in Hayward, California in the foster home of Madeline Borba Silva with two of his brothers, Roy and Robert, and foster brother Larry, after losing his young mother to Hodgkin's Disease.  He participated in the Holy Ghost parade for All Saints, carrying the flag.  Al graduated from Hayward High School in 1952 and joined the Army.  He met his wife of 68 years, Janice May Montana, and they married in Reno in 1953.  Al was then shipped off to Korea, along with two of his older brothers.  One brother, Roy Elton, was KIA on Pork Chop Hill.  After returning from Korea, Al worked for PG&E until retirement.  After retirement, he worked for Union City as a crossing guard outside of Cabello and Alvarado Elementary School, crossing his grandkids on their way to and from school.  He loved that job.

Throughout his lifetime, Al enjoyed running track and field for Bret Harte and Hayward High, playing hard softball with PG&E pals, watching most sports with his sons (especially Giants baseball and Raiders football,) being with his family, keeping a kitchen garden, feeding the birds, taking walks, attending church at St. Anne’s, and playing Yahtzee.  Al was an avid horseshoe pitcher and frequently won his class.  He took up the sport after the pits opened at Kennedy Park in 1975, and continued to play until his transition, thanks to his friend Harvey.  To earn extra money to enter the horseshoe tournaments, Al collected cans throughout the neighborhood for over 40 years.

Al was proud of his Cherokee heritage and loved his family deeply.  He was happy to let his wife Janice have her way with anything, frequently saying, “as long as mom/grandma is happy.” He was a quiet man of few, yet funny words. He would make pun jokes, silly sounds, and play the spoons for our entertainment. He loved to dress up for Halloween.  Life began harshly for Al, but he was able to overcome and live a successful, modest life surrounded by family and doing the activities he loved.

He is survived by his wife Janice, three sons Ricky, Kris, and Marc, three grandchildren Mary Allison, Michelle Ann, and Kris Elton Jr, one great grandson, Alex Sabanal, and best family friends Tom Tyler and Dave Shanks.   Elton is buried at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery.  He is deeply missed. 

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