Jim Rowland Obituary | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Jim Rowland, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, entered heaven on July 24, 2024. Jim Rowland was born on February 18, 1941 in Little Rock, Arkansas to John and Allene Rowland. He grew up playing multiple sports in his beloved hometown of Little Rock. He was a high school football star and continued his college football career at the University of Central Arkansas. He began his coaching career in Fort Smith at Darby Junior High School, moved to Northside High School as a football assistant, and later became the head football coach at Southside High School. He then served as the assistant principal at Southside, but he will be best remembered as the athletic director at Fort Smith Public School. He has received many awards and honors, including being named an Arkansas High School Athletic Administrators Association Hall of Fame Inductee. He has also received the Arkansas Athletic Director of the Year, the Meritorious Service Award, the Distinguished Service Award, and numerous other honors. Jim loved the Lord and lived his life accordingly. He had a true passion for all sports, for competing and for mentoring those around him, but most of all he had a passion for the relationships he built as a result of living a life surrounded by people who shared the world of athletics. Jim was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Norma; his sister, Janet Evans, and husband, Jerry; his son, Steve, and wife, Jill; his son, Matt, and wife, Jolee; and his seven grandchildren: Jackson Rowland, Landen Rowland, Connor Rowland, Hayden Rowland, Jordyn Rowland, Grace Ann Matocha and Joe Rothwell. He will be sorely missed. Visitation will be at Grand Avenue Baptist Church, Fort Smith, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, with a service to follow at 12 noon, Monday, July 29. Burial will follow in Oak Cemetery in Fort Smith, under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Jack Rowland, Landen Rowland, Connor Rowland, Hayden Rowland and Joe Rothwell. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes or Fort Smith Institute for the Creative Arts. Online condolences may be sent to: www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.

Published on July 28, 2024