Obituary for John Harry Rowley
John Harry Rowley, 74, of Franklin, passed away Tuesday, March 3, 2020.
Born in Pearisburg, VA, he was the son of the late Robert Deane Rowley Sr. and Alyce
Wilson Rowley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Robert
Deane Rowley Jr.
John was raised in the Pittsburgh PA area and graduated from St. Vincent College
Preparatory School in 1963 where he was the perennial president of his class and captain of
the football team. He then attended Georgia Institute of Technology graduating in 1968 with
a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering. While at Georgia Tech he was president of
the Alpha Tau chapter of Kappa Sigma fraternity and a Distinguish Military Student in the
U.S. Army ROTC program receiving a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army
upon graduation. John was highly decorated for his meritorious military service as an artillery
officer (Forward Observer/Fire Base Commander) in Vietnam in 1969/70. John returned to
Atlanta to attend Georgia State University where he earned his MBA in 1972, which
prepared him for a successful career in banking. In the mid 1990s he moved to Franklin NC
and ultimately traded his indoor banking job for the wonderful outdoors of western North
Carolina by working 15 or so years at Wildcat Cliffs County Club. He was a member of the
turf crew while also keeping the golf course equipment in good operating condition.
He is survived by his wife, Alice Doherty Rowley of Franklin, NC; one daughter, Hannah
Eckard (Joel) of Conover, NC; one brother, Jim Rowley (Mary Shea) of Atlanta, GA and
numerous nieces and nephews. John was loved by all whom were blessed to know him.
Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Condolences can be made to the family at www.maconfuneralhome.com
Born in Pearisburg, VA, he was the son of the late Robert Deane Rowley Sr. and Alyce
Wilson Rowley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Robert
Deane Rowley Jr.
John was raised in the Pittsburgh PA area and graduated from St. Vincent College
Preparatory School in 1963 where he was the perennial president of his class and captain of
the football team. He then attended Georgia Institute of Technology graduating in 1968 with
a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering. While at Georgia Tech he was president of
the Alpha Tau chapter of Kappa Sigma fraternity and a Distinguish Military Student in the
U.S. Army ROTC program receiving a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army
upon graduation. John was highly decorated for his meritorious military service as an artillery
officer (Forward Observer/Fire Base Commander) in Vietnam in 1969/70. John returned to
Atlanta to attend Georgia State University where he earned his MBA in 1972, which
prepared him for a successful career in banking. In the mid 1990s he moved to Franklin NC
and ultimately traded his indoor banking job for the wonderful outdoors of western North
Carolina by working 15 or so years at Wildcat Cliffs County Club. He was a member of the
turf crew while also keeping the golf course equipment in good operating condition.
He is survived by his wife, Alice Doherty Rowley of Franklin, NC; one daughter, Hannah
Eckard (Joel) of Conover, NC; one brother, Jim Rowley (Mary Shea) of Atlanta, GA and
numerous nieces and nephews. John was loved by all whom were blessed to know him.
Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Condolences can be made to the family at www.maconfuneralhome.com