OBIT: Gordon R. Rowell
Gordon R. Rowell
FAYETTEVILLE — Gordon R. Rowell was born July 22, 1939, in Clovis, N.M. He passed away on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011, at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Ark.
He was raised on a farm in the community of Ranchvale, west of Clovis. He graduated from Ranchvale High School in 1957 where he enjoyed sports, particularly basketball. He married Crystal Griggs on May 27, 1962. He served in the U.S. Army from January 1962 to December 1964 at Fort Carson, Colo. During this time, their daughter, Terri, was born on Aug. 25, 1963.
He continued his education, graduating with honors from Eastern New Mexico University with a degree in business administration in 1972. Gordon continued with a 36-year career with the postal service, retiring as postmaster in Ruidoso, N.M., in 1994.
He moved to Fayetteville, Ark., in 1994 and worked as a Realtor with Coldwell-Banker Real Estate. At the time of his death, he worked as church administrator at Fayetteville’s First Baptist Church, a position that he held for 13 years. He served as a deacon at First Baptist, where he was an active member. He was a member of the Fayetteville Lions Club, presently a member-at-large, but having served in many positions, including president and secretary-treasurer.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Crystal Rowell; a daughter, Terri and husband, Thomas Heimerman, of Woodbury, Minn. His survivors also include granddaughters, Crystal and husband, Nick Sullivan, Ale Keck and Jillian Heimerman, also living in Woodbury, Minn. He has two great-grandchildren, Dakota and Chase Sullivan. He is also survived by his sister, Carmaletta Childers of Foley, Ala., and brother and wife, Troy and Florence Rowell of Silver City, N.M., and their families. Other survivors include his sister-in-law, Betty Karstetter of Fayetteville, Ark., and her family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee Roy and LaFerne Rowell; and an infant brother, Hugh.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, at Nelson-Berna Chapel.
Services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, at Fayetteville’s First Baptist Church, under the direction of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting contributions to the building program at First Baptist, “One Heart — One Treasure” c/o Fayetteville’s First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1324, Fayetteville, AR 72702, a project that was special in Gordon’s heart.
Pallbearers will be Roger Brune, Todd Clampitt, Jim Lacy, Johnny Quinn, Bill Shackelford and John Story. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of First Baptist Church.
Gordon loved the Lord, his family, his church family and friends and the Arkansas Razorbacks. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
To place an online tribute, visit www.nelsonberna.com.