Leroy Rowden 1929-2006

Leroy Rowden was born November 29, 1929, in a community in Camden County, Missouri known as Toronto. Leroy was one of eleven children born to the union of the late Charley R. and Zylphia (Long) Rowden.

Leroy attended school in Swedeborg and Brumley. In the early 1950s, he moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he began working on the freight docks for Ryder Freight Lines.

While livivg in Chicago, Leroy met Joan Carol Hudik. They were married on December 21, 1957. Leroy and Joan were blessed with two sons, Mark and Noel. Joan preceded Leroy in death on July 26, 1985.

The Rowden family moved back to Camden County in the early 1970s, and Leroy went to work at Stanton Manufacturing at Lake Ozark.

Leroy was a strong, hard working man who enjoyed his farm. He also enjoyed watching baseball on T.V., especially if the St. Louis Cardinals were playing.

Leroy was a man of faith, and expressed his belief in God to his family several times. After many years of ill health, Leroy departed this life the evening of October 21, 2006 in the Richland Care Center, Richland, Missouri, at the age of 76 years, 10 months and 22 days.

He will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by tow sons: Mark Rowden and his wife, Rita of Camdenton, Missouri, and Noel Rowden of Richland, Missouri; one brother: Gerald Dean Rowden of the state of Illinois; two sisters: Lillian Jones of Camdenton, Missouri and Hazel Frentzel of St. Louis, Missouri; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Leroy was also preceded in death by four brothers: Vernon, Gail, Carl and Clyde Rowden and three sisters: Alice Long, Belle Crump and Fern Williams.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, October 24, 2006 in the Memorial Chapel of Richland with Bro. Charles Pitts officiating. The songs "Amazing Grace and "Precious Memories were sang by John and Ella Crossland. Serving as escorts were Mark Rowden, Michael Jones, Dale Long, Jimmy Jones, Jack Long, Sam Pope and Doug Roberts.

Burial followed in the Glover Chapel Cemetery in Camden County, Missouri. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapel of Richland.