Paul was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, the son of Lieutenant Commander Dalton Rowell and Sula Slay Rowell. He spent his youth travelling with his Navy family, living in South Carolina, Maryland, Massachusetts, California, Alaska and North Carolina. He was a loyal graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (BA Psychology 1972) and the University of Florida College of Law (1976). Paul proudly served in the Navy Reserves as a Seabee from 1972 to 1978.
In addition to his time in private legal practice in Sarasota and Tallahassee, he spent many years as a governmental attorney, serving as General Counsel for a number of State agencies, including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, and Florida Department of Management Services. Perhaps his most personally satisfying professional position was his service as Northwest Florida Regional Counsel/Director for the Department of Children and Families, where he was able to combine his legal and management skills, leadership style, and compassion for those less fortunate, especially among Florida’s children and elderly. He made a difference in the lives of so many people.
He further served his communities as a member of a number of boards of directors, including Lutheran Social Services of North Florida, Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center of Sarasota, and the Sarasota Housing Authority.
Paul’s intelligence, patience, wisdom, honesty and dry sense of humor allowed him to successfully navigate the complexities of legal cases, politics, bureaucracies, friendships and marriage. It is rare to find a person of such strong character, who can be called a truly fine man, but Paul Rowell was that man.
Paul was preceded in death by his father and mother. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Nancy; his sister, Susan Rowell Hine (Leon); niece Lindsey Hine; great niece, Luna Hine; goddaughter Hayes Nugent Brishke (Paul), and their children, Dunham and Foster; numerous cousins and innumerable friends.
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