Oliver Reagan Rowe Jr.

Reagan was born to Oliver and Marie Rowe in the summer of 1929. Marie was in Charlotte staying with family while Oliver was working in Kansas and Missouri. When Oliver got the news that their first born was on the way, he hitched a ride on a mail plane to Atlanta then caught a train to Charlotte. He arrived a few hours after the baby was born but was overjoyed to have a son, an heir.

After living in Missouri, the family settled in Charlotte. Reagan graduated from Central High School where he played the trombone in the band. There he met his high school sweetheart, Gwendolyn Snell, who later became his wife and the mother of his four children.

Reagan went on to graduate from Clemson University with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He joined the Air Force and served at Goose Bay Labrador Air Force Base as a captain. After several years he returned to Charlotte to raise a family and work for his father. He begin at the Bouligny Co., then president of R. H. Bouligny and finally became CEO of Rowe Corporation when his father retired.

Reagan had many hobbies throughout his life. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, driving his Porsches, sailing his “J” boats and entertaining on his motor yachts. He was an avid HAM radio operator and enjoyed talking to people all over the world. He was in communications at Goose Bay AFB and carried this interest into a lifelong hobby. Many say Reagan lived life to the fullest!

After retirement he moved to Charleston, SC and later to Longboat Key, Fl. He was always by the water, always on a boat, and always making friends. In 2017 Reagan returned to Charlotte to live with his daughter and son in law, Anne and DC Thomas who provided supportive care during his years with dementia.

He was preceded in death by his father, Oliver Reagan Rowe; his mother, Marie Rich Rowe; a brother, Ralph Burnette Rowe; and a daughter Mary Gwen Miller.

Reagan is survived by his daughters, Susan Rowe (Richard) Marshall of Waxhaw, NC, Anne Rowe (DC) Thomas of Charlotte, NC; his son, Oliver “Beau” Reagan Rowe III of Clover, SC; his grandchildren, Elizabeth Marshall Hudson of Waxhaw, NC, Justin Marshall of Charlotte, NC, Paul Miller of Lancaster, PA, Zachary Miller of Rock Hill, SC, Rachel Thomas Martin of Concord, NC, Jordan Thomas of Monroe, NC, Reagan Rowe of Lafayette, LA; and sister, Lynda Rowe (Robert) Rankin of Bluffton, SC.

A celebration of his life is planned for later this summer. Donations can be made to The Dementia Society of America.

Anchors Away

Set sail on the sea

of God's marvelous grace,

with warm gentle breezes

and wide open space,

refreshed in His goodness

with peace from above,

surrounded by blessings

of mercy and love.

Author Unknown