After serving in the Royal Air Force, he returned to Sunderland after the war and in 1948 T Cowie Ltd, motorcycle dealers, re-opened for business.
It became a public limited company in 1964 having moved into car sales following the collapse of the motorbike market.
Under Cowie ownership it expanded into London Transport tendered services, and its profits increased massively as a result.
His appointment of Lawrie McMenemy as manager in 1985 culminated in their relegation to the Football League Third Division.
[9] In 2007 Cowie helped refurbish a sixth form centre at St. Bede's School in Lanchester.
[13] Cowie was appointed an Office of the Order of the British Empire in 1982 and a knight bachelor in the 1992 New Year Honours.