IN LOVING MEMORY
Gary W. Rowe passed away on Friday March 27, 2009 from a battle of cancer. He was born on September 19, 1956 in Mountain Home, Idaho. Gary was the son of Lester and Grace Rowe. He was always teased about being born under a bomber as his father was in the Air Force. After Lester got out of the Air Force, the family moved to Witchita, Kansas. Gary attended Catholic school in his lower grades, then the family move to Bremerton, Washington. Gary attended high school until he was 17 years old when he dropped out. Gary was very upset that the school would not let his mother work at the school and help the students that had learning disabilities like he had. He got his parents to sign papers so he could get into the National Guard where he was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. While in the National Guard Gary received his GED. When Gary turned 18 years old he enlisted into the regular Army. He liked telling people that he was a draft dodger as he never registered for the draft because he was already in the Army.
While Gary was at Fort Lewis he met Melody Sinkhorn. They got married on February 26, 1977. Gary was still in the National Guard after he got out of the Army. In 1982 Gary moved his wife and two children to Poplar, Montana. They moved out here so they could spend the last days of his dad’s life as his father was fighting cancer. After he got settled he went and joined the Culbertson National Guard. In 1985 Melody and Gary had their third child. The summer of 1986 Melody moved back to Washington with their three children. In the fall of 1986 Gary told Melody that he would give her a divorce and it was final in February of 1987. Gary wanted to stay in Poplar, Montana as this was his reservation and he loved the wide open plains.
Gary went to his two-week drill guard meet and when he came home from his drill we went to Williston, North Dakota where he went into the store and bought Bettie a black hills gold rose ring. Three times was the charm for Gary to marry Bettie and they had 21 wonderful years together. Gary would always say that they were not married that long, as it seemed like he was gone to his two weeks drill for National Guards or he was out of town working on the roads.
Gary worked at the A&S Tribal Industry from 1982 until it closed in the early 90’s. While looking for work, Gary went to school at the Fort Peck Community College. He graduated twice from there, once for mechanic and the other for heavy equipment. Gary graduated with honors. He always liked joking around with people. Gary also worked for a farmer as he kept looking for work. Gary went to work at Town Pump in Wolf Point, Montana and worked there until 1999 when he got hired with the Montana Transportation Department in Wolf Point.
Gary enjoyed working on cars. Bettie would tell him that she was married to a mechanic and her car always came last to be worked on. Gary would tell her that working on other cars he would bring in more money. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting. Chad and Gary were in their glory when we bought a small farm from Dr. Ron Craig. They had all these plans of what they were going to do with the farm. When Chad died in 2006, Gary kind of lost interest in the farm. After we found out that Gary had cancer we turned the farm back over to Dr. Ron Craig. He also enjoyed playing bingo with Bettie and Chad at times. Then he started playing the machines. The first time that he got 7 out of 7 and won $800.00 Bettie thought he would never play again as the machine froze up and he had to wait three days to get his money. He also enjoyed playing cards with friends and family. He also enjoyed the 4th of July. I never knew who was the bigger kid Chad or Gary.
Gary was a wonderful father and husband. His family came first. Gary will be missed very much by the family members that are here, and both Gary and Chad will be watching over us. Gary will also be missed by his friends too.
Gary is survived by his wife Bettie Szymanski of Poplar, son Gary (April J) Rowe, Jr. of Longview, Washington, two daughters, Mary (Tim) Jackson of Vancouver, Washington and April Rowe of Vancouver Washington. Four sisters Lee (John) Vansicle of Witchita, Kansas, Tammy Knutson of Bend, Oregon, Shelia (Stogie) Cunningham of Bend, Oregon. Donnie (Randy) Mallard of Florence, Oregon and one brother Kenneth Rowe (Madonna) Wolf Point, one brother in-law John (Eddie Mae) Szymanski of Poplar, two sister-in-laws Carol Lee (Roger) Vondal of Harvey, North Dakota, and Bonnie (Edwin) Hallgrimson of Williston, North Dakota. He had three granddaughters Angelica and Jazmine Rowe of Longview, Washington and Chelsie Jackson of Vancouver, Washington and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Gary is preceded in death by Chad P. LaRoche-Rowe son, Lester and Grace Rowe parents, John and Carol Szymanski parent in-laws, grandparents Charlie and Elma Rowe, and William and Goldie Morries.
Rosary will be held at 7.00 P. M. at The Our Lady of Lords Catholic Church and funeral service will be at 10:00 A.M at The Our Lady of Lords Catholic Church in Poplar. Father Frances will be in charge of the service
Gary was a member of the American Legion Club in Poplar, MT. They will be in charge of Gary’s military rights. Gary will be laid to rest in the Poplar Cemetery.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel will be in charge of funeral arrangement.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point is in charge of arrangements.