Donald Ayers Rowe was born November 10, 1940 in Detroit, MI to James Rowe and Letsie Rowe [née Ayers]. He was an only child, but was surrounded by aunts, uncles and several cousins who he considered to be siblings. Donald spent his childhood in both Hamtramck, MI, and Detroit. He attended Pershing High School in Detroit and graduated in 1958. After high school, Donald initially attended Wayne State University, but later enlisted in the U.S. Army along with his cousin Frank Rowe. He served honorably from 1959 to 1965 in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves.
Donald moved back home to Detroit and worked as a stationary engineer. After starting and stopping college several times, Donald’s determination led him to graduate Summa Cum Laude from Detroit Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1975. In 1980, he earned his master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Wayne State University. Donald went on to have a long and successful engineering career before retiring in 2008.
In 1973, Donald met the love of his life, Linda. The couple married on November 14, 1974 and later had two sons, Jason and Darrin. In 1982, Donald dedicated his life to Christ and joined Full Gospel Tabernacle, where he served as a deacon, treasurer, prison minister and Sunday school teacher. Donald and Linda later joined Living Bread Ministries where they were both ordained as Elders. As an Elder, Donald served on mission trips to Lima, Peru in 2003 and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2007.
In 2009, Donald moved to Dallas, TX along with his wife and mother. He joined Word of Life Church of God in Christ and continued to serve the Lord in retirement. He continued to be an active church member despite lingering health problems. His sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, sister-in-law, nephews, cousins and extended Texas church community spent time with him in his final days. Surrounded by family and loved ones, Donald peacefully passed away and went to be with the Lord in the early morning hours on December 19, 2018. He was 78 years old.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents, James and Letsie, and wife, Linda. Donald is survived by Jason and Cynthia (son and daughter-in-law), Darrin and Keisha (son and daughter-in-law), and Jeremy, Gabriella, Jaden, Nya and Daniela (grandchildren).
