James "Jim" Weston Rowe

Family request that anybody attending the service should wear a mask and bring your chairs for the service will be outside.

James Weston "Jim" Rowe, was born on June 7, 1944 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to the parents of Roy Everett Rowe and Ruth M Weygandt.  He was affectionately called “Honey”  “Dad”  “Pa Pa” , “Big J” and “Pastor”.  On August 26, 2020 he entered into the presence of the Lord and was certainly greeted with these words, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” Matthew 5:21

Jim married his lifelong sweetheart, Gwendolyn Lawrence, on June 21, 1965. From this beautiful union of 55 years the two have a daughter, Nena, a son-in-law Patrick Sanchez and two grandchildren, Hagen and Jenica Sanchez. Jim is survived by his siblings, Joan and Bob Richards of Collinsville,  Jerry Rowe of Ramona, and Roy Rowe, JR and Peggy of Owasso and Sister-in-law Jane Lawrence of Tulsa.  He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by many nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends.

In 1974, Pastors Jim and Gwen began pastoring Vera Free Will Baptist Church. Several years later they expanded the calling of the church by transitioning to Vera Full Gospel Church. Together, Jim and Gwen have lived a selfless life of service to others with two prevailing objectives to teach the word of God and to express the love of Christ. Whether picking his guitar during a Sunday service or visiting the sick at hospitals Jim spread joy and faith to the hopeless. Despite his illness, Jim worked closely with his wife Gwen to develop weekly sermons. In his last days as he laid in the back of the church, he managed to gain enough strength to share a few words to Gwen’s sermons.

Jim was devoted to his family, friends and strangers as they came into his life. He was known for his witty sense of humor. A joke always followed by his smile and the words, “I love you.”  Jim served as a man that followed God with his heart and soul. Pastor Rowe will be missed but his legacy of kindness will continue.

Jim served his country as a member of the US Army artillery armed services during Vietnam War where he spent 10 months stationed in Germany and served 3 years. He worked in radar and electronics with missile technology and instructed German warrior officers while serving.

Jim graduated in 1963 from Ramona High School. Before going into the ministry, Jim worked for Phillips 66 on the seismic crew and also the National Cash Register (NCR) as a computer technician.

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