CCS Trustee Gary Cowger – In Memoriam

February 20, 2023

CCS Trustee Gary Cowgen

The College for Creative Studies mourns the loss of Gary Cowger, trustee since 2002.

The College for Creative Studies mourns the loss of Gary Cowger, trustee since 2002. Gary passed away from cancer on February 17, 2023 at the age of 75. Gary is survived by his wife, Kay, and son, Chris. His daughter, Mindy, died in 2020.

As a former President of General Motors North America, Gary was credited with repairing the automaker’s relationship with the UAW. Gary’s career at General Motors spanned almost 45 years from the time he started as a co-op student from General Motors Institute (now Kettering University). Gary had numerous accomplishments during his career at General Motors, from doubling General Motors’ market share in Mexico to make it a market leader in the 90s to simplifying the product development process and re-invigorating General Motors’ product line-up. Gary was also instrumental in Mary Barra’s rise within General Motors, supporting her leadership abilities early in her career.

President Don Tuski, Chairman Jim Nicholson, and the CCS Trustees are grateful for Gary’s long service to CCS as a board member. 

More information can be found at https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/gary-cowger-obituary?id=47449003