Jack Michael Rowland

https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/jack-michael-rowland

Mr. Jack Michael Rowland, of Kennesaw, Georgia, passed away Saturday, April
15, 2023, at The Restful Retreat following an extended illness. He was seventyeight.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 am, Friday, April 21, 2023, at Poole Funeral
Home Chapel in Woodstock, Georgia, with Dr. Tommy McDearis officiating.
Burial will follow with Air Force Honors at Georgia National Cemetery at 2:00 pm
Friday, April 21, 2023. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm
Thursday, April 20, 2023, and a short visitation one hour before the funeral
services, at 10:30 am at Poole Funeral Home in Woodstock. The service will be
live-streamed and available for one year at the link below.
https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/jack-michael-rowland
Mr. Rowland was born August 26, 1944, in Columbus, Georgia, to the late
Raymond Mills and Aileen McDearis Rowland. After attending Jordan high school
and Columbus Technical College, both in Columbus, Georgia. Mr. Rowland
enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and began basic training at Lackland Air Force Base
in San Antonio, Texas. After basic training, Mr. Rowland was assigned to the 516th
Tactical Airlift Wing, 347th Tactical Airlift Squadron. Mr. Rowland was stationed
at Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene, Texas. Mr. Rowland served in Vietnam as an
Aircraft Electrician and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. Mr. Rowland also
served during the Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III as well as Operation Ranch
Hand and Operation Mule Train. Mr. Rowland also played softball for the Air
Force Team as a pitcher. Mr. Rowland married the love of his life, Tommie Loree
Johnson of Abilene, Texas, in February 1969. That same month Mr. Rowland
transferred from Active Duty to the Air Force Reserve and moved to Kennesaw,
Georgia to start a home and family. Later, Mr. Rowland was Honorably Discharged
on October 19, 1971.
After his military career, Mr. Rowland began working for Lockheed in Marietta as
an Aircraft Electrician on C-130s. He then started a new career with Georgia
Power and started out wiring high-power electrical substations across the Atlanta
Metro area. Mr. Rowland retired from Georgia Power in 2005 after more than 30
years of service. Jack and his wife raised two daughters and six grandchildren.
Jack was a girls’ softball coach in Kennesaw in the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, even
coaching both of his daughters and even his wife, during his coaching career.
Mr. Rowland was Elected in 1993 to the Kennesaw City Council, where he served
over Parks & Recreation and then went on to serve as Police Commissioner and
Mayor Pro Tem, serving the City of Kennesaw for eight years. Mr. Rowland was
immensely proud of his contributions to the city of Kennesaw Parks. He
spearheaded the funding and came up with clever ways to raise money rapidly to
pay for and turn their facility into a world-class athletic facility. Mr. Rowland
always loved a good 4th of July Parade with the family along with BBQ and
fireworks. Mr. Rowland loved his local teams: Braves Baseball, Rome Braves,
Georgia Tech Football, and Baseball. Jack also enjoyed going to local car shows
with his grandsons.
Mr. Rowland’s favorite times of the year were always family holidays like
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Mr. Rowland loved it when his girls would
cook a good country meal. He would sit around the family, tell stories and smile
the whole time, he was never happier. Mr. Rowland loved his country and
respected all his brothers and sisters in the military, he also supported the wounded
warriors and many, many other veteran charities.
Mr. Rowland was preceded in death by his parents, and a step-brother, Jimmy
Askew of Columbus, Georgia.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Tommie Loree Johnson; two daughters,
Brooke Lynn Rowland Erwin (Christopher), Woodstock, GA., Bobbie Jo Rowland
Gilliam (Marcus), Jonesboro, GA; grandchildren, Gretchen Erwin, Alan Erwin,
Evan Erwin, Jackson Erwin, Marcus Gilliam Jr., and Mya Gilliam; one sister,
Nancy Rowland Davenport (Joseph); Niece, Karen Davenport Gilstrap (Tommy),
Fort Worth, TX; Nephew, Michael Davenport (Heather), Columbus, GA; sister in
law, Linda Askew, Columbus, GA, Leann LaFollette, Columbus, GA;
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Cancer Society
Colorectal Cancer Research in honor of Mr. Jack Michael Rowland at
https://donate.cancer.org
Online condolences may be made at www.poolefuneralhome.net