Stewart Franklin Rowe died August 25, 2010 at Hunt County Regional Medical Center.
Stewart was born in McNeil, Arkansas on May 13, 1916, to James Morgan Rowe and Frances Elizabeth (Perry) Rowe. He grew up and went through school in southwestern Arkansas. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor of sciences degree. He was employed by The Farm Bureau of Columbia County, Arkansas, before entering the U. S. Army in service of his country. Like so many men of his generation, Stewart served in World War II. He was a radio and radar technician, stationed in England following his training in Florida.
Upon his return from the war, Stewart came to Texas, specifically to Greenville, because his older brother was established in business here. He was working for KGVL radio when he met and married Jewel Moseley. Stewart and Jewel were married on November 15, 1947. Eventually, Stewart bought his brother’s business, an independent insurance agency on Lee Street (Berry-Bush-Rowe) and made it his career.
Jewel and Stewart raised three children. They had seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Stewart retired in 1981, and he and Jewel traveled and entertained at home and enjoyed their family together until her death in 2007.
Stewart became a member of First Presbyterian Church of Greenville shortly after his marriage to Jewel. He served as a deacon and elder of the church and was honored by both the men’s and women’s groups of the church over the years. He was still attending church regularly at the time of his death. Stewart was a member of the local Masonic Lodge for nearly 70 years. There was a ceremony honoring his service and dedication in September, 2006. Another lifelong commitment was to the Kiwanis Club of Greenville. Stewart attended weekly meetings of the Golden Kiwanis Club, including the meeting on the morning of August 24th.
Surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law Sue and Larry Bryant of Rowlett and Lynn and Mathew Geersten of Vienna, Austria; a son and daughter-in-law Stewart, Jr. and Laine Brock Rowe of Fort Worth; sister-in-law Sara Bernice Moseley of Sherman; grandchildren Christopher Bryant and wife Nicole of Basel, Switzerland, Jessica Robert of Weatherford, Trey Rowe and wife Shannon of Argyle, and Katy, Steffy, Jenny, and Suganthi Geerstsen all of Vienna, Austria; and great-grandchildren Alexander Bryant, Dylan and Kennedy Robert, and Savannah and Ruston Stewart Rowe; and nieces and nephews and their children.
Stewart was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jewel, two sisters and three brothers.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Monday at the First Presbyterian Church of Greenville at 5905 Stonewall Street under the direction of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home with Rev. Chris Campbell officiating. Burial will be in Forest Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4 PM to 6 PM Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to the Jewel Rowe Scholarship Fund or the Church Renovation Fund at First Presbyterian Church of Greenville.
Honorary pallbearers will be Edwin Barlow, Don Cordes, J. L. Green, Judge Joe Leonard, Ed McMeans, Ford Molen , Kendall Petty, John Reynolds, Bill Rutherford, and Elders of the First Presbyterian Church.
