Robert Rex Rowland Sr.

Robert Rex Rowland, Sr., 92, passed away February 25, 2016 at Pleasant Valley Manor. The Mass of Christian Burial is 11:00 AM Friday, March 4th at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1357 NE 42nd Terrace, Kansas City, MO, where a visitation will begin at 10:00 AM. Entombment will follow the service in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Raytown, MO. In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to St. Patrick Catholic Church.

Robert was born to Jesse E. and Bertha Rowland on July 15, 1923 in Council Bluff, IA. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army. Robert was married to Helen Theresa Herken on February 19, 1944. He drove an 18-wheeler over-the-road for 40 years working for Rock Island, IML, Road Way, Riss, and others. Robert was a member of Teamsters Union Local 41, the Knights of Columbus, and the St. Patrick Church Choir. In 1995 he was named Bus Driver of the Year for the North Kansas City School District. He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Helen; a son, Stephen A. Rowland; a granddaughter, Renee M. Rowland; his parents; and siblings, Lillian, Delmar, Lucille, Harold, Betty, Mary, Dennis, and Leonard.

Survivors include sons, Robert Rowland, Jr. and wife, Marilyn, and Rory Rowland and wife, Tedi; daughter-in-law, Cindy Rowland; grandson, Robert R. Rowland, III and wife, Marketta and their son, Robert R. Rowland, IV; granddaughter, Resa Ferguson and husband, Scott; grandson, Timothy Rowland and wife, Valerie; grandson, Paul Rowland and wife, Christina, and their children, Declan, Brittney Jones and husband, Alexander, and their son, Alexander Indiana Jones; grandson, Todd Rowland and wife, Katrina, and their daughters, Taylor Watt and Brittany Ford and her husband, Kyle, and their daughter, Sophia Ford; grandson, Ryan Rowland, his son, Elijah, and significant other, Tabatha Lancaster; grandson, Keith Rowland and significant other, Erica Hendrix; grandson, Eliot Rowland; grandson, Josh Rowland; granddaughter, Michaela Rowland, and fiancé Patrick Shami; and grandson, Joseph Patrick Rowland.

The family extends their gratitude and thanks to the volunteers and employees of NorthCare Hospice and Pleasant Valley Manor for their kindness and thoughtful care of Robert in his final days.

(Arr.’s: McGilley Antioch Chapel, 3325 NE Vivion Rd, Kansas City, MO 64119; www.mcgilleyantiochchapel.com)]