C W Rowell

C. W. Rowell, 81, passed away Monday, March 9, 2015 in Wichita Falls, Texas. Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, from 6pm to 8pm at Hampton Vaughan Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, March 12, at 3pm at Hampton Vaughan Funeral Home.

C.W. was born May 17, 1933 in Richland Springs, Texas, to Clarence and Edith (Wood) Rowell. He attended Richland Springs High School where he was the quarterback on the football team, played baseball, basketball, and was on the track team. He married Connie (Benatti) Rowell on August 28, 1957, they were married 57 years.

After serving in the Army he attended Arlington State College. He was on the track team and threw shot and discus. After leaving ASC he got his bachelors at North Texas State College. He started his teaching career as a math teacher and coach at Highland Jr. High in Hobbs, N.M. From there, he went to Van Texas High School where he coached football, basketball, and baseball.

After teaching and coaching in Van, he went to LSU for his Master’s degree. He taught at Wharton Jr. College when he finished there. He left there in 1965 to teach at Midwestern State University. He served on many committees at MSU. He was the Faculty Athletic Rep. for 18 years. He was named to the Wall of Honor in 1997, working many hours with Steve Holland to restore MSU’s football program.

C.W. worked for Habitat for Humanity for many years. He received the Jefferson Award for his work in the Community. He also Received several Angel in the Rafters awards.

He and Connie served 2 terms as president of the Red River Valley Square and Round Dance Association. He served on several committees at the YMCA. He coached the Jefferson Cobras with Waylon Brown. They won 2 State Basketball Championships and Several City Baseball Championships.

C.W. was the co-founder of the Iowa Park Girls Softball League, and he helped build the Gary Compton Softball Complex.

He is Preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Iris Stewart.

He is Survived by wife; Connie, son; Jim Rowell and wife, Ashley, of Little Elm, Texas, daughters; Terri (Rowell) Smyers of Lakeside City, Texas, and Linda Rowell Hipol of Lakeside City, Texas, grandchildren; Ashlea Smyers of Midland, Texas, Jacob Smyers and wife, Paige, of Wichita Falls, Jessica Scarbro and husband, Rob, of Wichita Falls, Texas, Betsy Hipol of North Carolina, and Grandson Ryan Hipol of Lakeside City, Texas. Great-grandchildren; Madison, Jace, Justin, and Claire, brothers; Stan Rowell and wife, Viola, of Fort Worth, Texas, Bill Rowell and wife, Roxie, of Joplin, Missouri, and Jack Rowell of Benbrook, Texas, sister; Martha Myers and husband , Johnie, of Brownwood, Texas, and Numerous Nieces and Nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity, Hospice of Wichita Falls, and MSU Athletic department.

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