Zaiden Mikel Rowe, 20, passed away unexpectedly on September 24, 2025. He was born on February 2, 2005, to Frank Rowe and Jeanie Rush and was raised in the Ray County area most of his life. He attended school in Richmond, MO.
Zaiden’s sudden passing comes as a shock to his family and friends who are still processing his loss. He lived an adventurous life and still had so much ahead of him. He was loved by so many – so much more than he knew.
Despite this tragedy, his family and friends cherish the memories they had during their time together. Some of those memories include Zaiden bringing home random wild animals that he wanted to keep as pets such as a baby snapping turtle he named Sheldon, a baby mole, and a full-grown squirrel (no idea how he caught it) that he “found on the sidewalk” walking home on separate occasions.
Zaiden was always a great taste tester for homemade chocolate chip cookies, a lover of purple and music of all types. Zaiden always had a sweet spot for both his Nana and his Mimi and never outgrew showing his love for them.
Anyone that knew him knew how much he loved to fish, never turning down a chance to be out in nature, with a pole in the water. He will always be remembered for his quick wit, sense of humor, and getting into mischief. His humor was out of this world – you never knew what he was going to say next. He nicknamed his Mimi “Hot Wheels” after pushing her in her wheelchair doing donuts in a parking lot after dinner, both of them giggling away. He was always a lot of fun!
He is survived by his beloved dog Rufus, his dad Frank Rowe, his mom and step dad Jeanie and Jedidiah Watkins, his sister Aspen (Kole) Rowe, nephew August Ballou, brothers, Mark (Jillian) Rowe and Colton Watkins, his Mimi Nancy Rush, his girlfriend Maga and step daughter Margaret, grandparents Frank and Glenda Rowe, an uncle, aunts, and several cousins.
He is preceded in death by his Nana Thelma Danner, aunt Andrea Porten, and maternal grandfather John Heath.
In honor of Zaiden, we encourage you to wear purple.
If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health, please reach out for help.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Zaiden Rowe Memorial Fund. They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home, 507 East Main Street-P.O. Box 190, Richmond, MO 64085.
Visitation with memorial services will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Thurman Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 10:00 A.M., with services to follow at 11:00 A.M. A celebration of life and inurnment to be held at a later date. Please remember to share your memoires of Zaiden with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.
Deceased’s Funeral ArrangementsVisitation with memorial services will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Thurman Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 10:00 A.M., with services to follow at 11:00 A.M. A celebration of life and inurnment to be held at a later date.
Source: KMZU, The Farm
