John C. Rowland died after a brief illness on April 21, 2008 in Colorado Springs.

John was born in Hutchinson, Kan. on May 27, 1914 to Edgar and Marie Rowland.

He attended school in Texhoma, Okla. and Elkhart, Kan. and was an exceptional athlete in his youth.

He farmed dry land during World War II and employed a few of General Rommel’s German POWs harvesting wheat and broomcorn in Kansas. He owned and managed a farm, grain elevators, movie theaters, automobile and farm implement dealerships and an insurance agency.

John made his home in Loveland from 1946 to 1967, in Grand Lake and Mesa from 1968 to 1998 and finally in Colorado Springs.

John was always active in community affairs. In Loveland, he was instrumental in building the First United Methodist Church. He was an active member of the Lions Club and Elks Lodge #1051 for over 60 years. In Grand Lake, he was active in the Community Church of the Pines, creating the travelogue slide programs, Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce and Grand Lake Golf Course. In Colorado Springs, he was active at the Broadmoor Community Church, and as a volunteer reader to kindergarten children for 10 years. He enjoyed greeting WalMart customers at the Eighth Street Walmart for 10 years until he was 92.

His great loves were his friends, his family, his dogs, a good joke, greeting people and the state of Colorado.

He is preceded in death by sisters Betty Randall and Opal Gore; wives, Ruth Champion and Viola Troutman. He is survived by his daughter Sharol (Dr. Wes) Metzler, Colrado Springs; Errol (Edie Reidel), Aurora; a sister Ruth Kessler, Fullerton, Calif.; , seven grandchildren, granddaughters, Stefanie (Eric) Fleischmann, Las Vegas, Nev.; Suzanne (John) Duke, San Francisco, Calif.; Sara (Greg) Jackson, Loveland; grandsons Lt Col Mark Henderson, Lake Tahoe, Nev.; Dr Matthew Henderson, Grand Junction; Patrick Henderson, Washington, D.C.; Shawn (Tracy) Rowland, Aurora; and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by four Troutman stepchildren and their families in the Dumas, Texas area.

The family requests that donations be made to the Trinity Church in the Pines, Box 676, Grand Lake, CO 80447.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday May, 24, 2 p.m. at the Broadmoor Community Church, Colorado Springs.