James Leonard Rowe

Mr. James Leonard Rowe was born April 13, 1931.  He was the second child of the late Viola Ward and Floyd D. Rowe.  He was born and raised in Sherman, Texas and graduated from Fred Douglas High School May 1949.  He attended Texas College and was drafted into the U.S. Army and served two years.  He won Korean SVC medal with two bronze SVC stars, National Defense SVC medal and UN SVC medal.    In 1956 he graduated from Texas College with a BA degree in Health Education and Biology.  He moved to Amarillo in 1956 and went to work as an instructor of jet mechanics.  Later, he was assistance director of Amarillo Health Club and YMCA.  In 1968 he went to work for Beech Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas later transferring to Bell Helicopter as supervisor until they closed.   He was the Vice President of UAW for two years.  He worked at Lear Sigler and retired in 1993.  He worked at Pilot Travel Center from 2002 -2003.

On August 1, 1975, James was united in holy matrimony to Arvella Wilson of Amarillo, Texas, who was his loving and faithful wife of 44 years.  He accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized in Sherman, Texas.  He later united with Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church May 11, 1997.  He held and office in brotherhood, sung in the choir, attended Sunday school and training union. 

James was very active in the community.  He was Illustrious Potentate of Ozair Temple #146 and Deputy of Oases of John W. McKinney Consistory #283, Master Mason 32 degree and Omega Psi Fraternity.  James was also Junior Vice Commander of VFW#1475, Senior Vice-Commander, and District Commander for one year for order of The Cooties.  He had a life membership of VFW and Military Order of the Cooties and DAV.

He is preceded in death by his parents, mother; Viola Ward, a sister; Nelda McKay, son; Ronald Holland, niece; Susan Wright and his brother; Floyd Rowe. 

He is survived by his wife; Arvella Rowe, son; Rev. Leonard Eugene Rowe, two stepsons; Fred Lindsey (Ann), Kansas Missouri, Glenn Wilson (Linda), three stepdaughters; Evangelist Diana L. Stevenson, Denelda Shaw, and Valerie Lee (Alvin). He assisted in raising two granddaughters; Shameka Brown (Darvin), LaTasha Mims (Ernie), Jamaal Lindsey (Nikki), Jolissa Lindsey, Phelip Wilson, Lionel Wilson, Alicia Brown, Derrick Mincey (Amber), Daniel Porras, and Dana Perez (Eric). Twenty-two great grandchildren, nephew; Floyd Rowe, Jr., Stanley Wright (Margaret) and Lacheryl.

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