John Johnny Edward Rowden

John Edward "Johnny" Rowden, of Longview, went to be with The Lord on Thursday, September 26, 2013 at the age of 73. He was born on August 2, 1940, to Virgil Rowden and Lucille (Rowden) Morris. Johnny was a lifelong resident of Longview, Texas, and a graduate of Pine Tree High School, Class of 1958. Johnny received Christ as his Lord and Savior at a Billy Graham Crusade at Central Baptist Church at the age of 12. He went on to study chemistry at Texas A&M University, and served in the U.S. Army. Following his military service, he retired from Texas Eastman after 32 years in research and development. He later retired from Gregg Appraisal District in 2011.

After numerous awards and accomplishments in various sports at Pine Tree High School, he went on to coach through city, school, and church leagues in several sports such as basketball, soccer, and baseball.

He is survived by his three children and their mother, Fran Rowden: his daughter, Robyn Pickering and her husband Larry of Kilgore, Texas; his twin sons, Eric Rowden and his wife Amy of Hutto, Texas; and Edward Rowden and his wife Andrea of Frisco, Texas. He was "Pappaw" to eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Gary Rowden of Kilgore, Texas, and Norman Rowden and his wife Janet of Kilgore, Texas; his sisters Kathy Swanner and Mona Furr and her husband Ricky, all of Mount Pleasant, Texas. Also, from Ridge Spring, SC, Irene Thomas, and in Port Orange, Florida, Jim Hunt and his wife Lynn. In addition, several nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

He was preceded in death by his father and step-mother, Virgil and Mary Rowden, and his mother and step-father, Lucille and Bill Morris. He was also preceded in death by his step-brother Terry Rowden.

The family will receive visitors on Monday, September 30, from 6:00-8:00 pm at Lakeview Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Chapel. Funeral services for Johnny will be held Tuesday, October 1, at 10:00 a.m. at Lakeview Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Chapel, with burial to follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens.