Leo Wesley Rowell

Leo Wesley Rowell, 101, from Amarillo, Texas passed away on October 24, 2026.

Memorial services are pending but will take place in Fayetteville Tennessee early next summer at St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church. Leo’s remains will be interred with his first wife, Ellen Joyce (Joy) Spurlock Rowell at Riverview Cemetery, also in Fayetteville. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

Leo was born in the village of Taft, Tennessee on December 23, 1924, to John Wesley Rowell, and Cleo Downing Rowell. He was the 7th of 10 children. He graduated from Blanche High School in 1943. Following graduation, Leo proudly served in the Navy and attained the rank of Petty Officer during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1946.

Leo met and married his first wife Joy in 1947, enjoyed 44 wonderful years of marriage and raised their two sons, Ronald and Louis. In December of 1992 he lost Joy to cancer. Leo felt fortunate to find love again with his second wife Jonnie Coggin Rowell and enjoyed life together from 1993 until her passing in 2013. After the passing of Jonnie, Leo moved to Amarillo, TX to be closer to family. Leo is also preceded in death by all his siblings but lived long enough to proudly claim the status of being the longest living Rowell of his generation, just two months shy of reaching his 102nd birthday.

Leo is survived by his son Ronald Wesley Rowell and wife Karen of Green Valley, Arizona, and son Louis Herman Rowell and wife Julie of Amarillo, TX. He was incredibly proud of his grandchildren Drew, Chelsie, Christopher, and Kaylyn. In addition, he lived long to enjoy his great-grandchildren Ryder Leo Gleason and Brody Thomas Gleason. He is also remembered with love by Johnnie’s children Tim, Eva and Glenn and their families.

The family wishes to thank the Thomas E. Creek Dept of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the many caregivers that helped Leo during his time in Amarillo.