Robert Gordon Rowell

Robert Gordon Rowell, age 75, died surrounded by his family Thursday, March 10, 2016. Gordon was born on July 11, 1940 in Fort Valley to Delkin and Ellen Becham Rowell. He spent his early years on his grandparents’ farm in Crawford County as his mother and stepfather John DeChirico participated in the war effort. Upon graduating from Lanier High School in Macon, Gordon enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving a five-year tour of duty in the North Sea, the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia. Following his military service, he studied accounting at Georgia State University. He began his career as a C.P.A. at Peat, Marwick Mitchell & Company and later became a partner at Coopers & Lybrand in Atlanta. He retired after serving as chairman, CEO and president of First Liberty Financial Corporation. A brilliant and devoted husband, father, grandfather and son, Gordon spent his retirement with his ailing parents, his wife and his children, sharing with them all his enthusiasm for sports and current events. He was the person to whom they all turned for advice when it came to life decisions great and small. Gordon cultivated an impressive talent for gardening and enjoyed nothing better than to spend hours in his backyard growing beautiful flowers. Although he struggled with illness in recent years, he took great joy in regularly attending his church and actively participating in his children’s lives through family dinners, lively debates and a mastery of 21st-century technologies. Gordon is survived by his wife, Jan, and their three children: Summer, Jordan and Leighton. He is also survived by Judy Rowell and their children: Chris, Kim and Kevin, as well as his grandchildren Mitchell, Blake, Christopher, Stephen, Helen, Reese, Nash and Hazel; and many beloved cousins. His family will celebrate his life at a service at Chamblee First United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 13th with a visitation one hour prior. Interment will follow the service at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Chamblee First United Methodist Church, Emory University Hospital or a charity of your choice.