Retired Sgt. Maj. Preston Rowser

Sergeant Major (Retired) Preston Rowser, known as "Nick" to family members and "Sarge" to friends, was born in Hale County, Alabama, 16 March 1940. He entered into rest at Sunrise Memory Care in Johns Creek, GA on July 15, 2024.

The Rowser family moved from Birmingham, Alabama to Detroit, Michigan in 1950. Preston graduated from Eastern High School, Detroit in June of 1958 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in December of 1958. Preston attended Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and (AIT) Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Gordon, GA.

Preston loved basketball. He was a member of the 1962 (CISM) Basketball Team and the 1966 "All Army Basketball Team"

In 1967, Preston Rowser changed his Military Occupational Skill (MOS) from Signal to Infantry Operations. He spent the next year in Vietnam with the 2/27th Infantry (Wolfhounds) 25th Infantry Division (from May of 1968 - May of 1969), whereas he was awarded the "Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)"( the Nation's second highest award for extraordinary heroism), two (2) Purple Hearts, The Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) and many more. He also served with the United States Military Assistance Command, South Vietnam (MACV) from July of 1970 - July of 1971.

Sergeant Major Rowser was chosen by the Army to attend the Initial "Infantry Operations and Intelligence Specialist NCO Advance Course" at Fort Benning, GA and culminated with his graduation from the "United States Army Sergeants Major Academy", Class 15 at Fort Bliss, Texas in June of 1980. Sergeant Major Rowser retired after serving more than twenty-three years in the military. He then started his second career with the United States Postal Service, where he spent the next 18 years as a letter carrier. He retired from the Post Office in March of 2002.

All the accolades received above, was nothing compare to Preston Rowser accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age of 70 at Windsor Spring Baptist Church in Hephzibah, GA. He loved his church family under the leadership of Reverend Paul Robertson.

Sergeant Rowser is preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth Lomas Rowser and Frank Rowser, Sr., one grandson, Jonathon Ferguson, two sisters, Dorothy Roberson and Bernice Rowser, and brothers, Frank (Lucille) Rowser and John Rowser.

Preston leaves to cherish his memories with his wife of 33 years: Nadine Crosland Rowser; two daughters: Regina Ferguson of Willingboro, NJ and Alicia Rowser of Willingboro, NJ; one son: Sergeant First Class (R) Preston (Sharon) Rowser, Jr. of Stockbridge, GA; one step-daughter: Tiffany Griffin of Brookhaven, GA; five grandchildren; three great grandchildren; three sisters: Ethel Caddell of Detroit, MI, Patricia Bowden of Detroit, MI, and Natasha Bowden of Houston, TX; one brother: Joe (Mildred) Henderson of Harvest, AL; Sister-in-law: Constance Rowser of Detroit, MI; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends, young and old.

A visitation for Preston will be held Saturday, August 3, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Eternal Hills Funeral Home, 3594 Stone Mountain Highway, Snellville, GA 30039, followed by a funeral service from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.