Charles Ray Rowan, 100, of Lee’s Summit, passed away Friday, March 13, 2026, at CenterPoint Medical Center in Independence.
Charles was born on April 18, 1925, in Millville, and raised in Hamilton Missouri, the son of Henry Tate and Gladys Henrietta (Farr) Rowan, brother to: Donna Geraldine, Francis Loreta, Anna Coralie, Ruby Maxine, Virginia Marie, Doris Evelyn, Marilyn June, and Dale Henry.
He was united in marriage to Virginia Lucille “Jenny” Harrell of Kansas City, Mo. on October 31, 1947; she preceded him in death on July 13, 2017.
He achieved Eagle scout under Ambers Lee Glidewell of Hamilton who died in Normandy, France on D-day 1941. Chuck joined the submarine service in 1943 serving until the end of the war in the Pacific theater. He got his GED and an associate’s degree under the GI Bill as a reservist. While going to college he was called to duty for the Korean War. Chuck served in the US Government for 30 years and was responsible for running one of the largest computers in the USA at the time. He was a proud farmer, gardener and avid reader.
Chuck loved his children: Son, Zak and his wife Toni Rowan, Daughters Dallas and her husband Chas Griefe, Debby and her husband Brad Rozelle, Ruth Rowan Pottinger. Granddaughters Margie and her husband Mark Andrist, Sheilah Harber, Wendy and her husband David Schaefer, Elizabeth and her husband Norberto Rodriguez, Kristina and her husband Charlie Rinehart, Savannah and her husband Zach Ours. Grandsons Jesse Rozelle, Harley Rowan, Adam Rowan and Luke Pottinger. Great grandsons, Adam, his wife Brittany Harber and his brother Andrew Harber. Great granddaughters Madison Rowan and Brooke Schaefer, Great grandson, Ryan Schaefer
The family suggest in lieu of flowers memorials can be sent to either: Veteran United Foundation – Columbia, Missouri https://www.enhancelives.com/ or Bethel Cemetery, Polo, Missouri. They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home 507 East Main Street/P.O. Box 190 Richmond, MO 64085.
Visitation with funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond, with visitation beginning at 1:00 P.M., with services to follow at 2:00 P.M. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery, Polo. Military Honors provided by the United States Navy and Ray County Veterans. Please remember to share your memories of Charles with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.
Source: KMZU, The Farm
