Javan G. Rowe

Javan was born in Canton, Ohio on September 4, 1973 to Gary Rowe and Joanna Kerns. He spent his early childhood growing up in Alliance, Ohio where he was homeschooled. While growing up with his sisters, he was always there for them. From a young age, many noticed his vibrant imagination and creativity.

In his later childhood he lived in Toledo, Ohio where he attended Whitmer High School. There he was a very talented wrestler, known as ‘Rubber Band Man’ as he was too flexible to pin down. He performed in many musicals and operas throughout high school, receiving nearly every role he auditioned for. He was also the dance captain of the school’s show choir. Aside from his many talents, he was also very intelligent, and was a member of the National Honors Society as a senior. In his pastime as a highschooler, he enjoyed shooting pool in his father’s basement with his friends, and going dancing with his friends and family.

Javan attended Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio to pursue a bachelor in music. He continued his musical involvement, in various operas and musicals; the show choir Singing Collegians; the university concert choir; and the Ritz Players, a local community theatre. It is there that he met his future wife, Kari Rowe. While in college, he and close friends founded the singing quartet Blendzs; performing around the Midwest, and most notably opening for the vocal group Boyz II Men. He graduated Heidelberg with a degree in Vocal Performance in 1997.

Javan moved to Columbus, Ohio in 1998. He began his career at the United States Postal Service in 2000 as a mail carrier, where he would later organize and lead a group Bible study each week with his coworkers. He founded a music ministry called V.I.P.: Victorious in Praise as an outlet to write Christian music. He married Kari Rowe on March 24th, 2001 in Tiffin, Ohio. They then moved into their first home together, where they raised their son, Isaiah Rowe; and daughter Eden Rowe. He was a worship leader and choir member for many years in the church. He had a passion for Christian writing throughout his adult life; starting his website, eyesonthekingdom; and routinely writing articles for The Lookout, a Christian magazine. He even wrote a book on Spiritual Warfare.

Javan was a faith-driven man from his childhood to his final day. He always prioritized his family’s safety and stability over everything else. He did all his work to serve God, and did everything with a smile on his face. His relentless positivity impacted the people around him, and made everyone’s world a bit more colorful each day. He had no enemies, and loved all. He was a remarkable husband, father, brother, and son.

Javan will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Kari Rowe; children Isaiah and Eden Rowe; father Gary (Gloria King) Rowe; siblings Shawnee Rowe, Cheyenne (Kevin) Hall, and Jocelyn Graham; brother-in-law Kyle (Amor Reis) Smith; mother-in-law Pauline Smith, his aunts and uncles and many nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends on Monday, July 25, 2022 from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm at Jersey Church, 13260 Morse Rd., New Albany, Ohio 43054. A funeral service will follow immediately at 5:00 pm. Interment to take place Tuesday, July 26 at Woodlawn Cemetery, 4628 Township Rd. 173, Bloomville, Ohio 44818.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Javan’s memory may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation.