J. B. Rowland

He was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky to the late Edward Rowland and Lillie Mae Yocum Rowland on November 19, 1928.

He was a former employee of the L&N Railroad and Walbridge and Aldinger Construction Company where he proudly helped build the Ford Plant on Westport Road and Interstate I-71. He later worked for Klein Nursery, where he retired after many years of dedicated service.

Some of his favorite memories were making handmade shingles for their log cabin and working on the Castle at Yew Dell. J. B. was also known for his gardening and country culinary delights, his chainsaw sharpening skills, love of whittling, the art of making a musical tune from playing spoons, and dancing many an Irish jig at family functions and parties. His most precious talents were picking beautiful wild flower arrangements and presenting them to his beautiful wife, and digging, balling and burlapping trees with his two sons.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 66 years, Lela Mae Horton Rowland; children, Lida Rowland Snow (Ralph), Glenn Rowland (Lorenda), Evelyn Rowland Steele (Robert), Elden Rowland (Patsy), and Joyce Rowland Manning (Paul); grandchildren, Glenna Rowland, James Brian Dobbs (Kathryn), Tracy Snow, Nathan Rowland (Dawn), Jessica Mull (Sam), April DiProspero (Bart), Heather Herald (Jody), Mandy Giovanna (Jeremiah), and Amanda Manning (whom shares a special connection with the same birthday); 16 great-grandchildren; his sister, Ruth Dishon, and many other family members and friends.

Funeral arrangements for J. B. will be held at Heady-Radcliffe Funeral Home, LaGrange Kentucky. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 14, 2016, 4 to 8 p.m. A service to honor his life will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. He will be laid to rest in Floydsburg Cemetery, Crestwood, Kentucky.

The Rowland Family would like to thank the efforts of the LaGrange Fire Department first responders, EMT’s, and staff of Norton Brownsboro Hospital in assisting Dad in his last moments.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in J. B.’s memory to his favorite charity, Kosair Children’s Hospital (newly renamed Norton Children’s Hospital). www.kosairchildrenshospital.com