Roll Call Tribute

James Bryan "Jim" Rowland

March 18, 1935 - February 25, 2023

James Bryan Rowland was born March 18, 1935 in Shreveport LA to Toy and William Harris Rowland. While they lived in Texarkana TX and Pineville LA early on, they settled in San Antonio TX in 1944 where Jim exceled in football and track at Brackenridge High School.

He graduated from Texas A&M University where he was elected yell leader when Coach "Bear" Bryant led the Fighting Texas Aggies football team to a top 10 finish and where he never let studies interfere with his education.

In 1959, he went to work for Rath Packing Company. Jim met Donna Bourdon while stationed with the US Army at Fort Lee VA. After a brief courtship, he sent her an engagement ring and a proposal via regular mail which she happily accepted. She was "My Donna" to him and the love of his life. Together they lived in Houston, San Antonio, and Seattle, before Jim was hired in 1967 by the United Fruit Company to be plant manager at Rite Away Foods in Edinburg where they produced freeze dried military rations.

Jim and Donna joined First Baptist Church in McAllen in 1968 where they formed friendships that were as close to family as one can have. In 1970, Jim became a real estate agent and formed a successful business partnership with Dick Moore. Jim eventually formed, with Donna, HomeFinders Realty. Their agency thrived and grew to 13 real estate agents and brokers, creating lifelong friends from their colleagues, coworkers, and business clients. Together they also raised three sons, Scott, John and David, and later welcomed their wives, Kathleen, Vivian, and Ann, into the family.

Jim and Donna retired from home sales in the 1990s and owned/operated North 10th Storage until approximately 2010. During these years, Jim enjoyed the flexibility of his work schedule to refine his hunting and fishing skills, try his hand at painting and wood burning, and spend lots of time being a grandfather. Of all the titles he received, PopPop was his favorite. While he loved his wife and sons with all his heart, he somehow loved his grandchildren even more and sparkled every time he was able to take them outdoors to hunt or fish. He was just getting started with the great grandkids and found them to be the cherry on top.

Jim passed away February 25, 2023 with family present in Houston. He fought acute pancreatitis for several years and thankfully no longer suffers that pain. He fished and hunted until the last few weeks before his passing, continuing to live life doing the things he most loved with the people he loved most. Jim's final words of wisdom were, "Establish faith in Jesus. Love of family and friends is more important than silver, gold, and expensive things. I found that my time at the church was better spent than at any other organization (country clubs, chambers of commerce, boy scouts, etc). I regret that I didn't do more for my faith in Jesus than I did. My life was wonderful and full. I know who I believe in and where I am going."

Jim was preceded in death by his father, William H. Rowland Sr., and mother, Toy (Bryan) Albaugh Rowland, and brother William "Bill" H. Rowland Jr.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Donna; sister, Anne Moore; his sons and daughters in law, Scott (Kathleen) Rowland, John (Vivian) Rowland, David (Ann) Rowland; grandchildren, Kelsey (Bryan) Cranford, Bryan (Melyssa) Rowland, Taylor (Nathan) Pullen, Trevor Rowland, Tabitha Rowland; great grandchildren, Kenzie Rowland Cranford, Vyannhe Cranford, Kyle Arthur Rowland, Kayce James Rowland, Olivia Pullen; nephews and nieces, Patrick (Ingrid) Moore, Page (Kevin) Brown, Shannon Moore; grandnieces, Hannah Moore, Molly Moore, Rowen Moore; as well as his beloved "adopted" children who knew him as Papa Jim.

A celebration of life and memorial service will be held on Friday, March 3, 2023, at 4 pm at the First Baptist Church of McAllen, 1200 Beech, McAllen TX 78501. The dress code is casual with appropriate fishing attire welcomed. For those who cannot attend, the service will be streamed via @FirstMcAllen on YouTube. Should you wish to honor Jim in any way, please consider investing time with someone you love (especially your grandkids) in the outdoors, donating to the First Baptist Church McAllen Youth Fund, or contributing to the Port Mansfield Chamber of Commerce for their annual fishing tournament.