Obituary for Eckel Wright "Eck" Rowland
Eckel (Eck) Wright Rowland, age 95 passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at a local skilled nursing facility, with family and friends by his side. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Marjorie Lois (Haley) Rowland; his parents, Jay and Maude (Eckel) Rowland; three brothers, Jay, David and Joseph Rowland and one sister Alice Mae Rowland Hill.
Eck was born and raised in Hot Springs, Arkansas. During high school he was captain of the football team, was elected student body president, and graduated with honors that won him an alternate spot at the United States Military Academy West Point. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army at the height of WWII. The young infantry soldier was deployed to the Pacific arena and the island of New Guinea. After his service to country, Eck graduated from the University of Arkansas, where he proudly played center for the Razorbacks, including the highlight of playing in the 1947 Cotton Bowl Classic. In 1959, Eck and his wife Marjorie moved their young family to Van Buren, where the Rowlands made their home. They were active and longtime members of the First Presbyterian Church of Van Buren. For decades, Eck served his community through numerous roles in the Van Buren Rotary Club, including a term as President, and was recognized with the Friendliest Rotarian award. He was a member of the Robert Jack Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1322 in Van Buren and served as Treasurer as well as Grand Marshal of the Van Buren Veterans Day Parade on multiple occasions. He was retired from the Arkansas State Employment Service. Everyone he met will remember him for his friendly ways and his kind and caring heart.
Next to his love of God was Eckel’s love of family. He is survived by one daughter, Ruth Carson and husband, Cliff of Fort Smith; four sons, Frank Rowland and wife, Mary Helen of Reston, Virginia, Timothy Rowland and wife, Lisa of Nashville, Tennessee, John Rowland and partner, Laurel Brackenridge of Richardson, Texas and Guy Rowland and wife, Carolyn of Van Buren; five grandchildren, Gavin Carson, Clayton Carson, James Eckel Rowland and wife, Sarah, Amy May and husband, David, Mae Rowland; and four great grandchildren, Nathan and Madeline Rowland, Rebecca and Ella May.
The family will visit with relatives and friends Thursday, December 5, 2019 from 5-7 P.M. at Ocker Funeral Home 700 Jefferson Street Van Buren.
Memorial service will be at 10 AM Friday, December 6, 2019 at Ocker Memorial Chapel in Van Buren with military honors under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home Van Buren.
Eck was born and raised in Hot Springs, Arkansas. During high school he was captain of the football team, was elected student body president, and graduated with honors that won him an alternate spot at the United States Military Academy West Point. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army at the height of WWII. The young infantry soldier was deployed to the Pacific arena and the island of New Guinea. After his service to country, Eck graduated from the University of Arkansas, where he proudly played center for the Razorbacks, including the highlight of playing in the 1947 Cotton Bowl Classic. In 1959, Eck and his wife Marjorie moved their young family to Van Buren, where the Rowlands made their home. They were active and longtime members of the First Presbyterian Church of Van Buren. For decades, Eck served his community through numerous roles in the Van Buren Rotary Club, including a term as President, and was recognized with the Friendliest Rotarian award. He was a member of the Robert Jack Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1322 in Van Buren and served as Treasurer as well as Grand Marshal of the Van Buren Veterans Day Parade on multiple occasions. He was retired from the Arkansas State Employment Service. Everyone he met will remember him for his friendly ways and his kind and caring heart.
Next to his love of God was Eckel’s love of family. He is survived by one daughter, Ruth Carson and husband, Cliff of Fort Smith; four sons, Frank Rowland and wife, Mary Helen of Reston, Virginia, Timothy Rowland and wife, Lisa of Nashville, Tennessee, John Rowland and partner, Laurel Brackenridge of Richardson, Texas and Guy Rowland and wife, Carolyn of Van Buren; five grandchildren, Gavin Carson, Clayton Carson, James Eckel Rowland and wife, Sarah, Amy May and husband, David, Mae Rowland; and four great grandchildren, Nathan and Madeline Rowland, Rebecca and Ella May.
The family will visit with relatives and friends Thursday, December 5, 2019 from 5-7 P.M. at Ocker Funeral Home 700 Jefferson Street Van Buren.
Memorial service will be at 10 AM Friday, December 6, 2019 at Ocker Memorial Chapel in Van Buren with military honors under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home Van Buren.