Obituary for James M. Rowsey Jr.
James Melvin Rowsey, Jr. passed away peacefully on Monday, October 24, with the love and support of his family & friends around him.
James was predeceased by his beloved wife of 56 years, Frances Conway Rowsey.
James is survived by his four children -- Michael Rowsey (Megan Rice) of Charlestown, Massachusetts; Patrick Rowsey (Cheryl Rowsey) of Fairfax, Virginia; Anne Rowsey (Jon Christ) of Chandler, Arizona; and Joseph Rowsey of New Orleans, Louisiana -- as well as his grandson, Luke Rowsey.
James was born on December 28, 1934 in Laurel, Mississippi. He was the only child of James Melvin Rowsey, Sr and Elsa Forster Rowsey. James graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1956, and served as an officer in the United States Navy for the next 30 years.
James was the Commanding Officer of two amphibious assault ships: USS Churchill County (LST-583), and USS Fairfax County (LST-1193). He served aboard three other ships – all of them destroyers: USS Lawrence (DDG-4), USS Cony (DDE-508), and USS Gyatt (DDG-1). The Gyatt was the world’s first guided missile destroyer.
James’ shore duty stations included the Pentagon, the United States Naval Academy, Naval Station Norfolk, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Friends are invited to Visiting Hours:
Saturday, November 5
3:00PM – 6:00PM
Henry J Burke & Sons Funeral Home
56 Washington Street
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
and a Reception immediately following the Visiting Hours:
Social Restaurant
Sheraton Four Points
320 Washington Street
Newton, MA 02458
James’ funeral and interment will be held subsequently in Fairfax, Virginia.
James was predeceased by his beloved wife of 56 years, Frances Conway Rowsey.
James is survived by his four children -- Michael Rowsey (Megan Rice) of Charlestown, Massachusetts; Patrick Rowsey (Cheryl Rowsey) of Fairfax, Virginia; Anne Rowsey (Jon Christ) of Chandler, Arizona; and Joseph Rowsey of New Orleans, Louisiana -- as well as his grandson, Luke Rowsey.
James was born on December 28, 1934 in Laurel, Mississippi. He was the only child of James Melvin Rowsey, Sr and Elsa Forster Rowsey. James graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1956, and served as an officer in the United States Navy for the next 30 years.
James was the Commanding Officer of two amphibious assault ships: USS Churchill County (LST-583), and USS Fairfax County (LST-1193). He served aboard three other ships – all of them destroyers: USS Lawrence (DDG-4), USS Cony (DDE-508), and USS Gyatt (DDG-1). The Gyatt was the world’s first guided missile destroyer.
James’ shore duty stations included the Pentagon, the United States Naval Academy, Naval Station Norfolk, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Friends are invited to Visiting Hours:
Saturday, November 5
3:00PM – 6:00PM
Henry J Burke & Sons Funeral Home
56 Washington Street
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
and a Reception immediately following the Visiting Hours:
Social Restaurant
Sheraton Four Points
320 Washington Street
Newton, MA 02458
James’ funeral and interment will be held subsequently in Fairfax, Virginia.