Updated: 10.05.08
A memorial service for Ralph Stanley Rowe, of Conroe, will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008, at 1 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in the large sanctuary with Dr. Jerry Neff and Pastors Sam Jones and Sam Cable officiating.Ralph passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 24, 2008, at the age of 86. He was born in Moorinsport, La., to William Brigg and Flora Mae Rowe. His family moved to Dayton, Texas, when he was fourteen. He later became the first drum major the Dayton band ever had. After serving in the United States Air Force, he received his bachelor and master’s degrees in music education from the Southern College of Fine Arts Houston.His first band directing job was in Hardin, Texas, at the age of 19. In 1951, he became the band director of Tomball High School. In 1956, the family moved to Conroe where he directed the Tiger Band from 1956 to 1976. He then became the music supervisor for Conroe Independent School District for seven more years. In 1968, Ralph was voted into the prestigious National Bandmasters Fraternity Phi Beta Mu.He was a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church. Ralph was preceded in death by the love of his life, Betty Jean (Clark) Rowe, with whom he had a blessed marriage for 62 years. His beloved son, Terry Alan Rowe, also preceded him in death.
Ralph’s unconditional love will be missed by his surviving family: daughter, Karen Walker and husband Chuck of Montgomery; daughter-in-law, Kathy Shugart Rowe; granddaughters, Stacey Gorski, Stephanie Miller and husband Jay and Brandy Rowe, all of Montgomery; great grandchildren, J. T. and Hunter Gorski, Courtney Rowe, Christina Vincent and Luke Miller; sister and brother-in-law, Patsie and Boyd Arnold of Dayton; niece, Linda Burney; and nephews, David and Randel Arnold. The members of the Methodist Men’s Sunday School Class and the Tuesday morning Men’s Bible Study will be honorary pallbearers.Ralph was one of the greatest teachers ever, which was attested to in 2005, at a reunion in his honor with students coming from all over the world to honor him. The Conroe Tiger Band marched as a tribute to him. The new music center at Conroe High School will bear the name of this great band leader: The Ralph Rowe Music Center.In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the American Cancer Society, 6301 Richmond Ave., Houston, Texas 77057; Home Instead Senior Care, 3500 West Davis #230, Conroe, Texas; or Hospice Care of the Southwest, 317 Church Street, Suite 112, Livingston, Texas 77351. A special thanks to The Hospice Care of the Southwest, Home Instead and LaTorcha Bradley for loving him to the end.
1 comment:
Conroe lost a great man the day of his homegoing, and I'm so glad there will be a living memorial to him by naming the band hall after him. He always had such a great passion for all of his bands throughout the years he was director. Tiger Boggie just doesn't sound like it did when he was there.
Post a Comment