Master Sergeant James Francis Rowland Jr., USAF (Ret.)

James Francis Rowland Jr. (Jimmy) passed away on Sunday, May 26th, after a valiant fight with cancer. Jimmy was born on September 12th, 1965, and was the son of the late James Francis Rowland Sr. and the late Mary Reinhardt Rowland.

Jimmy graduated from Lower Richland High School and from the University of South Carolina.

Jimmy served in the S. C. Air National Guard and retired as a Master Sergeant in 2019. His awards and decorations include: Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, AF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with 8 Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal with 2 Service Stars, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 Service Stars, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 Service Star, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border, AF Longevity Service with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 2 ‘M’ Devices with 2 Hourglass Devices, Air Force Training Medal, NATO Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait Liberation Medal Government of Kuwait.

Upon retirement from the Air National Guard, he went to work for the State of South Carolina as an electrician maintaining the grounds of the Capital and the Governor’s Mansion. Jimmy enjoyed the outdoors and particularly being on the water boating and fishing with friends and family. He always loved walking on Folly Beach with his love, Linda. He was an avid reader and enjoyed buying and giving thoughtful gifts to everyone. Jimmy could always make you smile and laugh with his jokes and sense of humor. He loved South Carolina history and his beloved Carolina Gamecocks.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Linda Mims Rowland, his parents, James Francis Rowland Sr. and Mary Reinhardt Rowland. Survivors include his sister Renee Rowland Cook (Steve), nephews Brian Anthony Cook, Sean Patrick Cook, Cody Aaron Cook, brother Gregory Reinhardt Rowland (Paige), niece Olivia Paige Rowland, nephew Nicholas Reinhardt Rowland, stepchildren Kimberly Chandler Clark, and Christopher Scott Chandler, Kimberly’s daughter, Britney Heather Clark, and mother in law Josie May Mims.

A funeral service will be held at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, South Carolina, 29229 at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday June 6th, 2024.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com