James Lee Rowton, Jr.

James Lee Rowton, Jr.

1958 – 2025

James Rowton (Jim) 67, passed from this life on April 30, 2025, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In death, as in life, his wife was by his side.

James Lee Rowton, Jr. was born February 16, 1958, in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, to James Lee and Mary Mae Rowton, who were pastoring the Assembly of God church there. Jim lived his early years in Pawhuska and remembered going to church, Sister Whitt in the nursery, and his dad taking him downtown for haircuts. His paternal grandparents, Robert and Linnie Rowton, lived nearby in Okesa. The farm there would remain his happy place throughout his entire life. The family moved to Sedan, Kansas to accept a pastorate there when Jim was still preschool and moved to Oklahoma City when his dad began evangelizing during Jim’s elementary years.

When Jim was entering middle school, his father accepted a pastorate at Gardens Assembly of God in Midland, Texas, where Jim enjoyed playing football and being big brother to his younger sisters, Beth and Nancy. About the time high school rolled around, the Rowtons moved to Amarillo, Texas to pastor Southlawn Assembly of God. He helped supplement the family income by throwing a large paper route every morning, rain or shine, sleet, or snow, on his bicycle. He played saxophone in the high school band as well as jazz band and at his dad’s church. At Amarillo High School, Jim excelled in the ROTC program, receiving numerous local and national awards for his marksmanship expertise. His love for and dedication to ROTC resulted in his receiving an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Although he chose a nonmilitary career path, his brilliant mind and drive to succeed were evident in his every venture.

Upon graduation in 1976, Jim was hired by Houston Contracting to work running a backhoe building a pipeline across Iran to Russia. After six months there and several close calls, in answer to the fervent prayers of his parents and grandparents, he returned to the United States and lived in Plano, Texas with his Uncle Russ and Aunt Elaine Rowton. He attended First Assembly of God in Dallas. In June 1977, Lindy Damron was teaching in a day camp at First Assembly, staying with an Evangel College classmate who also lived in Dallas. On a Sunday morning, they met and later that year started dating, marrying April 1,1978 in Edmond, Oklahoma. They are the proud parents of two boys, Joshua James Richard and Caleb Andrew, and enjoyed living in Branson, Missouri, Joplin, Missouri and The Woodlands, Texas, as well as in Edmond during the past 47 years.

Vocationally, Jim always enjoyed sales and marketing, whether in group sales at Silver Dollar City, car sales, or doing landman work in Kansas. He was also a whiz in technology and writing code for computer systems used in car dealerships across Oklahoma and Texas and many other ventures.

Papa Jim enjoyed his three grandchildren immensely, taking them on trips to various places as long as he could, from Mount Rushmore to Branson, and just playing at home with them.

Jim faithfully served at Spring Creek Assembly on the church board and thoroughly enjoyed playing his saxophone with the church band until his health prevented him from continuing. He loved to invite friends and family to eat out with us after church on Sunday or come to our house for Sunday dinner. He was generous to a fault.

He is proceeded in death by his parents – James and Mary Rowton and sister – Elizabeth Rowton

Jim is survived by his wife of 47 years – Ruth Lynnette (Lindy); his sons – Joshua and Caleb of Edmond; and 3 grandchildren – Reagan Kaye, Hannah Elise, and Benjamin Wyatt. He is also survived by his sister – Nancy and Brian Smith of McAlester, Oklahoma; sister-in-law – Jean Ann and David Riggs of Oklahoma City; brother-in-law – Ed and Brenda Damron of Tuttle; brother-in-law – Jay Damron of Lawton; nieces – Brooke, Lacey, Lindsey, Lauren, Kay Lynn, Mollie and Lindy Lou; nephews – Brian David Jr., Brice, Jason, Jordan, Phillip, Logan and Luke.  He is also survived by his aunts – Elaine Rowton of Edmond and Shirley Mills of Ft. Worth, Texas; many cousins, extended family members and friends.

Arrangements are with Matthews Funeral Home in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 14, 2025, from 3pm to 8pm at Matthews Funeral Home, Edmond, Oklahoma.

Service will be held Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 2:00pm at Spring Creek Assembly of God, Edmond, Oklahoma

Burial will be at 1:00pm, May 16, 2025, at Pawhuska, Oklahoma.