Jack Rowell, Jr. (72) was born on May 7, 1951 in Memphis, TN and went home to the Lord on February 22, 2024 at 2:24 a.m. in Memphis. His parents, Jack Sr. and Mildred, were there to meet him along with other family, friends and musician buddies. Jack loved his family deeply. Surviving him are his wife of 39 years, Teri (Sweet T), 4 children: Taylor Rowell, Tarah Eceer (Tim), Julie Blackwell and Michael Blackwell (Shanna), 6 grandchildren: Nathan Blackwell, Alyssa Blackwell, Kailyn Rowell, Van Rowell, Brayden Rowell, Brittney Milam, a sister Pam Smith (Randy), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and the Chaney family. Since the age of 14, Jack had been a well known, well liked and well respected member of the Memphis and Mid-South Music community. He performed all over the Mid-South and the world in various groups, whether fronting or backing up other well known artists. Jack played guitar and sang on many recording sessions, and wrote, produced and performed on 3 original CD’s. For the past 15 years, he had hosted Jack’s Celebrity Jam at various venues, most recently Lafayette’s in Memphis, where musicians of all ages, genres and backgrounds from the area and the world were welcomed to sit in and play with his awesome band. This resulted in an enhanced camaraderie and networking between working musicians and the furthering of careers. The Royal Blues Band, of which Jack was the leader, is a two-time winner of the Tommy Award for Best Blues/R & B band and in 2023, the Memphis Blues Society presented Jack with a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2013, his band won the Beale Street Blues Kings Award. Jack loved so many people and always had room for another friend. He asked Jesus Christ into his life as a boy, and recommitted his life to Him in 1990. From that time forward, he never hesitated to share his faith, love and encouragement of others that they would come to know Jack’s Savior and Lord for themselves. He considered it a privilege to lead or be a part of praise & worship bands in several area churches and long term, in his home church, Church of the Harvest, Olive Branch, MS. His lifetime of love and service in the music and church communities led to many friendships and one need only go to Facebook to read all the wonderful tributes of how he affected lives. Although he will be missed by so many, he will never be forgotten and certainly left a beautiful legacy behind. Rock on Jack!
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jack’s memory may be made to: (1) Papa Don McMinn Musicians Humanitarian Fund administered by Memphis Blues Society (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=SC3J2TENAP8KS&ssrt=1708725606437) or (2) Stax Music Academy or (3) The Lighthouse (lhmm.org) or (4) West Cancer Foundation (westcancerfoundation.org).
A visitation for Jack will be held Friday, March 1, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Church Of The Harvest, 14707 MS-302, Olive Branch, MS 38654, followed by a celebration of life from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
