Bobby Roy Rowley

Bobby is survived by his wife, JoAnne Gordon Rowley, his children, Terri (Lee) Rigby, Dedee (Richard) Whitt, Deana Rowley, Keith Rowley, and Todd Rowley (Lisa Phillippi); grandchildren Meredith Michael (Gabe Lubell), Daniel Rigby, Christopher (Elaney) Rigby, Graham Rigby, and Holly Moore; great-grandchild Willow Rose Rigby; his siblings Russell (Jane) Rowley, and Susan Darst; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins he dearly loved.

He is preceded in death by his parents Roy and Lucille Rowley, brother Glenn William Rowley, sister Carolynn and brother in law Marvin Perkins, his cousin Rose Anderson, and niece Diane Rodriguez, brother in law John Darst.

Bobby graduated from Corpus Christi High School in 1948 and earned a lab technician certification from Del Mar College.

At age 21, he was drafted into the US Army and completed boot camp at Camp Bullis in San Antonio. As a private first class, he then transferred to Camp Gordon, GA and served as a Radio Operator MOS in the 551st Signal Battalion. In early July 1953, his company was to be transferred to serve in the Korean War, but luckily the Armistice was signed a couple of weeks later.

For 40 years, he worked as a lab technician at Southwestern Refining Company/Kerr-McGee. Bobby would commonly be seen with his Bible and his colleagues lovingly referred to him as “BR Superstar,” in reference to the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. Even at work he was known as a Christian and he eventually started an early morning Bible study.

For 85 years, Bobby was a member of Second Baptist Church. He served as a deacon, sang bass in the choir, and served as a greeter on the Welcome Team.

He helped to start two new churches. He began Harbor View Chapel on North Beach mainly to serve the homeless. He also helped start the CrossBridge Fellowship Church on Buffalo Street, which began as a mission church that met at Second Baptist Church’s Fellowship Hall. Bobby helped to grow that church when he saw a need in the community for a safe space for families with unwed parents to study the Bible.

Bobby’s family would like to give special thanks to Tiffany Waid, and caregivers Sarah DeLeon, Jessica Frye, Beth Simcik, and Sylvia Fuentes, along with family caregivers, Deana Rowley, Holly Moore, Dedee Whitt.

If our Papa ever held grand aspirations or spoke openly about personal dreams, he rarely shared them with us. And we’ve come to believe that’s because his greatest purpose was never about being seen or celebrated—it was about serving. He always had a servant’s heart, steady and faithful, instinctively stepping into the role of provider, protector, and watchman over his family. Above all, he guarded his wife with unwavering devotion, loving her not loudly, but constantly.

Papa had one of the sharpest memories of anyone we’ve ever known, paired with a deeply analytical mind that noticed details others overlooked. He was thoughtful, measured, and wise in a quiet way. When he gave, he gave fully and loyally—never keeping score, never expecting recognition, never asking for anything in return. That is simply who he was.

He had an outstanding singing voice, one that carried warmth and soul, and until the end he would croon love songs to our mother, reminding everyone that romance doesn’t fade when it’s rooted in devotion. He loved his children and grandchildren deeply and intentionally, offering presence, protection, and unconditional love. We often say that we were raised in a musical, as he and our mother taught us the wonders of singing.

Papa was remarkable in ways that can’t be measured or listed. In conclusion, all who knew him loved him, with his wife and children loving him most of all.

Viewing and visitation will be held Tuesday, February 3, 2026 between 4:30 pm and 6:00 pm at Memory Gardens Funeral Home.

Military graveside service will be held Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 10:00 am at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery.

Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 11:00 am at Second Baptist Church. All are welcome to briefly share thoughts, memories, and stories. All are welcome to join us for a meal in the Fellowship Hall following the service.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Second Baptist Church Widow and Widower’s Fund.