Alan M. Cousins
1943 - 2022
Alan M Cousins was born January 19th 1943. He passed away on February 25th 2022 at the age of 79.
Alan was born in London, UK and served in the British Merchant Navy. He also served in the Israeli Army as a paratrooper. He learned to speak Hebrew on his own during the time he spent in Israel.
Alan moved to New York in 1960. He started a leather belt business when he arrived in New York. His leather belt was quite a hit at that time as he was asked to make a custom one for Elvis Presley. Alan had great interest in music and art and he eventually became a manager and sound engineer for Chick Corea jazz band and several other groups during late 60s and early 70s.
Alan was a champion boxer in the British Navy. He studied martial arts after he came to the US and eventually became a certified 4th degree black belt instructor in Tae Kwan Do. Alan later moved to San Francisco and took over a small antique shop and spent most of his adult life buying and selling Asian arts & antiques. He eventually moved to High Point, NC in the early 2000s to concentrate on selling wholesale at the High Point International Furniture Market. He traveled to exotic places in the far-east such as China, India, Burma and Thailand to source unique and interesting arts and antiques to be sold at his booth at the furniture market.
Alan is survived by his brother Barry Cousins in London UK and nephews and nieces in Seattle and UK. Alan was a kind-hearted person and will be dearly missed by the friends he had here in High Point, NC.
His friends in High Point are planning a little gathering to remember him at 11am on Sunday 20th of March 2022. The remembrance will be at his old warehouse located at 304 W Russell Ave in High Point. Anyone who knew him is welcome to join us.
I was a former employee and friend of Alan Cousins. He was a unique kind of person who had quite a colorful life. He was very knowledgeable and interesting to talk to. He had some very good and dedicated friends who were a great help to him. He will not be forgotten.
I met Alan while he was exhibiting at Suites at Market Square nad I was his advertising rep and then his leasing agent, he was always amusing and a good challenge to work with.
As his health changed I stayed in touch to help him as I and several others could.
Alan was a free spirit who still had so much he wanted to do – his life was cut short but he certainly packed a lot in.
He will be long remembered 🙂
My favorite remembrance of Alan is taking the 3rd class sleeper bus from Deli to Jodphur filled with the ignorant and unwashed along with their goats and chicken. 18 hours later we arrived having had to strap ourselves in the luggage space being used as sleeping compartments which didn’t quite fit Alan or I. Rest in peace mybdear freind. The world a better place because u were here.
I have known Alan for over 25 years, meeting him at various times and cities during the time we were exhibiting at trade shows. In 2005, My father moved his business from Los Angeles to High Point and coincidentally Alan also moved from San Francisco to High Point a few years earlier. We’d see each other around town and had some lunches together. I become much closer to him these past 3 or 4 years when his health started to fail him. He was such a tough cookie that I was completely shocked to hear the news that had passed away. Judging by the stories he shared with us, he definitely lived a full life. He will be missed by those that knew him. RIP Alan. I shall see you again in another time and place.
I knew Alan for many years and loved him like a brother. He always had wonderful stories about his worldly travels and time spent in the military. He will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. Rest In Peace my friend.
I met Alan when he moved to High Point, NC when we trained in martial arts. He was always a formidable competitor and an asset to everyone. It is my honor to call him my friend .
Allan always had a great story and was quite entertaining and a showman.
Alan, safe travels to your final destination you will be missed brother.
Allen was a true friend and brother through our many years of martial arts training in high point. He was loved by many of us. He may be gone now but Allen lived a life that most people can only dream of, and lived it his way!
Very few people can truly be called one of a kind, but he defined the term. I trained with Allen in martial arts for many years and he always could show you something new . Very funny dry wit and a thinker . I’ll miss you ( my brother) Rest In Peace !