Max Lesley Cousins

Max Lesley Cousins

Washington

Max Lesley Cousins, age 88, of Washington, Iowa, died Friday, January 20, 2023, at the United Presbyterian Home after failing in health for the past three years.

Celebration of life services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, January 26, 2023, at the United Presbyterian Church with Chaplain Andrew Zuehlke officiating. The family will be present to receive friends from 1:30 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Thursday at the church. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery at a later date. A memorial has been established at the Washington High School for a girl’s collegiate track scholarship. Online condolences may be sent for Max’s family through the web at www.jonesfh.com.

Max was born June 17, 1934, in Centerville, Iowa, the son of Ralph Lesley and Charlotte (Green) Cousins. He graduated from Centerville High School in 1952 and attended Centerville Junior College. Max received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Physical Education and a Minor in Math from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1956. While at Iowa Wesleyan he played football and ran track. Max later received his Master’s Degree from Northeast Missouri State in Kirksville, Missouri. Max was united in marriage to F. Jean Miller on July 29, 1956, in Centerville, Iowa. Max served honorably in the Army National Guard from 1951 until 1959.

Max was a lifelong educator and coach. He taught Physical Education in Brighton, Albia, Sibley and Ocheyedan, Iowa, prior to moving to Washington in 1969. He taught Math in Washington, Iowa, from 1969 until his retirement in 1996. Throughout his teaching career, he coached Football, Baseball, Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball, and Girls’ Track. Following his retirement he continued to coach 8th grade Girls’ Track until 2012. In his honor, the Middle School Relays were renamed the Max Cousins Relays. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Washington. Max founded Central Park Community Center (CPCC) in Washington where he service as President for 19 years. During his time at CPCC he ran Bingo every Thursday night and tutored math students for eight years. He was a life member of the Washington Optimist Club where he served as President and Vice-President. Max was awarded the Citizen of the Year in 2013 by the Washington Chamber of Commerce and received the Bill Sitler Community Service Award in 2015.

He is survived by his wife, Jean of Washington, Iowa; daughter, Stephanie Whitaker and husband Richard of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; son, Derek Cousins of Letts, Iowa; daughter, Stacey Bryant and husband Kurt of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; eight grandchildren: Greg (Jill) Whitaker, Ryan Whitaker, Curtis Cousins, Justin Cousins, Kara Cousins, Barbara Kopp, Kylie Bryant, and Sam Bryant; as well as three great-grandchildren: Jessica Kopp, A.J. Kopp and Holden Whitaker; and many nieces and nephews.

Max was preceded in death by his parents; son, David Cousins in 1993; and eight brothers and sisters.