Michael "Mike" Ballard Rowland

Michael Ballard Rowland was born August 18, 1949, in Roswell, New Mexico, and passed away August 19, 2026, one day after his 77th birthday.

Funeral service will be at 1:00 PM, Friday, August 21, 2026 at Memory Gardens Cemetery Mausoleum in Pampa, TX. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors. 

Michael lived a life marked by hard work, strong opinions, independence, and a determination to do things his own way. He was not a man who needed to be the center of a room, nor was he one to sugarcoat what he thought. Those who knew him knew that he could be stubborn, particular, and set in his ways—but they also knew that there was much more to him than that.

Michael spent his career serving as a state prison guard before retiring. He took pride in his work and in knowing how to handle difficult situations. In retirement, he enjoyed spending time tinkering in his garage and pursuing the things that interested him. He was especially passionate about firearms and enjoyed teaching concealed handgun classes and making and reloading his own ammunition. He appreciated learning how things worked, working with his hands, and sharing what he knew with others.

One of the most meaningful chapters of Michael's life came later. In 2019, he was baptized in Canyon, Texas, beginning a new chapter in his faith. His relationship with God became an important part of his life, and his family is grateful for the time he had to grow in that faith.

Michael married Linda Marlene Fulton in December 1982. Together they built a family that grew to include children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Linda; his children, Lisle Rowland, Treva McKinney and her husband Kyle, and Brad Mills and his wife Erica; and his grandchildren, Ava, Camden, Harlow, Steven, and Evelyn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Betty and Hugh Rowland, and his brother, Tim.

Michael was a man who lived life on his own terms. He wasn't always easy, and he didn't always say things the way others might have. But he was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, and his life touched the people who knew him in ways that will remain with them.

His family will remember him for who he was—the good, the difficult, the stubborn, the capable, and the unmistakably himself. They will miss him and carry his memory with them.