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Vondel Smith Mortuary at South Lakes

Visitation will be Sunday, January 29, 2017 from 12-8 PM at the funeral home with the family present from 3-5 PM

In Lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to Lifeshare Transplant Donor Services of Oklahoma 4705 N.W. Expressway OKC, 73132

Gary Austin Rowland, age 66, died January 25, 2017. It took two unforgiving diseases, acting in concert over the course of almost seven years, to finally overpower this wonderfully stubborn and brave man. Gary was born January 10, 1951, in Oklahoma City to Gene Austin Rowland and Evelyn (Bugg) Rowland. He was raised in Oklahoma City and graduated in 1969 from U.S. Grant High School. He subsequently attended Central State University (now UCO) and Oklahoma City Southwestern College (now Southwestern Christian University). Gary also proudly served in the Oklahoma Air National Guard. Gary worked for Computer Rx, an Oklahoma pharmacy software company, for 20 years until his declining health forced his retirement in 2014. Prior to this, Gary worked for many years as a residential and commercial builder. He loved the construction process and took great pride in providing homeowners and businesses excellent craftsmanship, a trait that he gladly passed on to his youngest son. At various times throughout his life, Gary could also be found at the family car dealership, Rowland Motor Company. To be sure, these visits often included hard work. However, Gary most enjoyed the various “characters” who came to visit his grandfather, dad and uncle and the tall tales and resulting laughter that consumed everyone in attendance. Gary was always passionate about music. He started playing the drums at age 11 and helped form a local rock band named The Continentals. Although he played in other bands and created many lasting friendships, he always had fond memories of the original group that he helped start with his fellow classmates and friends. Gary loved just about all music genres but his preference for 1950s and 1960s rock-and-roll was enduring and pervasive, occasionally to the chagrin of his three sons (particularly, if the playing of said music prompted their mother to dance). Gary was married to his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Glenda (Story) Rowland, for 47 years. Together, they provided a wonderful childhood and unconditional love to three ornery boys. Gary was a great father. He imparted discipline and compassion in equal measure, often leaning toward compassion when there was a tie. By his own example, he taught his sons to always conduct themselves with honesty and integrity and to have empathy for others. Gary’s mind worked clearly and correctly until he became a grandfather. Unfortunately, this change in title initiated a complete and total reversal of the disciplinary doctrine that Gary had utilized with his sons. In short, there was no longer any discipline whatsoever. Gary officially became known as “Poppy” and began a tireless effort to shamelessly spoil all of his grandchildren (again, despite many fruitless protests by his three sons). Regrettably, his wife aided and abetted in this ignoble pursuit. Poppy was truly overwhelmed with love for Ella, Emmy, Presley, Sladen, Piper, Lily and Henry. Gary’s family would like to thank the dozens of health care providers in Oklahoma and Texas who helped Gary during his courageous journey. The family would like to specifically thank Dr. Kersey Winfree, who, in addition to being a great friend, handled every facet of Gary’s treatment as though he was caring for his own father. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorials to Lifeshare Transplant Donor Services of Oklahoma, 4705 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73132 www.lifeshareoklahoma.org.

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