JIM BOB ROWLAND Jim Bob Rowland, 73, passed away April 2, 2017. Jim Bob was born June 29, 1943, in Las Vegas, but his parents, Helen and Chuck Rowland, along with sister, Kaye Ann, moved the family to Boulder City in 1949 "Because Vegas was getting too big!" He graduated from Boulder City High School (1962), spent a short time at Dixie College and served as a sub-mariner in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He survived the sinking of his submarine, the Simon Bolivar, and realized in his life, he would have many near death experiences such as surviving an airplane crash while a flight instructor, car crashes, diving accidents, and other adrenaline-rushing close calls, like an in-cage fight with an orangutan while his parents managed the Little Rock Zoo. Jim Bob spent almost all of his life around water, either treasure hunting, or establishing new businesses as his knowledge of Lake Mead and the Colorado was vast. Working at Lake Mead Marina at an early age on the water taxis, taking groups down the river to the Grand Canyon on rafts (Rowland River Runners), building a tour boat in the back yard to take visitors from London Bridge to an island on Lake Havasu, founding Black Canyon Raft Trips for day floats on the lower Colorado River, and becoming part owner and operator of Overton Beach Marina, Jim Bob was doing what he loved. After the Marina, Jim Bob roasted and marketed Sweeney's Gourmet Coffee, then finished his working career as a successful realtor. He was the epitome of an entrepreneur in small, successful businesses. He played football, basketball and ran track at Boulder City High School, then tennis, bowling and golf as an adult. He loved golf and he loved the people he played golf with. Jim Bob never met a stranger, although he may have called you Bubba if he couldn't remember your name, he genuinely loved his friends like family and he had a heart of gold. Jim Bob was especially proud of his family, daughter Jill Rowland-Lagan, son-in-law Barry, son Tracy (TJ) and his wife Christy, daughter Toby Navarro and husband Michael, and later Brandon McFarlane, and his wife Kellie. Along with kids, he had wonderful grandchildren, Alexi and Abbi Lagan, Reilly, Brody, and Blake Rowland, Henry, Gabriel, and Dave Navarro, and Ian McFarlane. He loved being around them as they grew older and was their best example of a great sense of humor; he teased them about anything and everything. Jim Bob was married to Judy Ramsay for 23 years, then to Jane Moore Parr for 20 years. We all loved him unconditionally. At his request, there will be no services and instead of flowers, he preferred a donation to See Spot Run Dog Park., "cause those puppies needed some grass to run on." One of his favorite sayings was, "Who has more fun than us?" We never did find anyone who had more fun than ushis friends and family. We will all miss you JB. Jim Bob left this world on April 2, at Desert Springs Hospital from complications of pneumonia. A Celebration of Jim Bob's life is scheduled for Saturday, May 13 from 2pm to 5pm at Denny and Vicki Mayes' home. Friends are welcome to stop by to share a memory.
Published in Boulder City Review on Apr. 27, 2017
Pete Ostergard (1962)
WOW, another big surprise, I've often wondered how Jim Bob was doing. I asked about him at our 20th reunion but was only told he had diabetes, not how he was or any details. I just heard of his passing the other day. He was one of the friendliest guys in school. He was extremely popular but never seemed to dwell on it. Didn't really matter who you were he was always friendly. I remember his pearl white `56 Ford, beautiful car. He's a person I really wanted to see at that 20th reunion.
Mariaelena Garn (Garn-McGough) (1962)
Jim Bob and I became in laws in the 60s. While in high school, we always had fun teasing each other. A couple of years ago, Denny, Deeann, and I went to see Jim Bob around Christmas time. Thenjoy I saw him again at one of the reunions. What a sweetie. Always think of him fondly. He'll be missed.LeaRae Spendlove (Atwood) (1962)
Jim Bob seemed to always keep us laughing. I remember him telling a story in 5th grade about diving in the Pacific. It seems like he was talking about being stung by jellyfish and instead of being a terrible story, he managed to make us all laugh. He was always upbeat for the rest of the time I knew him in school. I never saw him again until the early 90's at a reunion. He asked me if I was happy and I replied that I was. He on the other hand was not to be which seemed very unusual to me. I remember trying to cheer him up. The last time I saw him was at our 50th reunion, but we didn't get a chance to talk. I will always remember him foldly as a friendly,outstanding boy in school and a terrific athlete.
Sincerely, LeaRae (Spendlove) Atwood
Nell Mooney (Gutierrez) (1965)
I was surprised as a freshman that Jim Bob knew my name and asked me how my brother, Denzil was doing. Thru the years whenever he saw me he always said hello and he was always very nice. When I was a Junior in High School I was sitting up above the big park eating a "Burt Burger". It was after the Home Coming Game and I was still wearing my cheer leading outfit. I heard two guys yell my name, and I immeadiately started the car I was driving, which was my brother Denzil's '56 Chevy. Jim Bob and Danny Ahlstrom yelled, wait, wait, and yelled their names. I shut off the engine and waited. Danny slid into the driver seat and Jim Bob slid into the passenger seat, asking me to make room for them. They asked why I wasn't going to the Homecoming Dance and then, "Kidnapped" me! Nothing in the world would stop the two of them, they had to take me to the dance. WOW! What a Night... What Girl could imagine going to a dance with Jim Bob Rowland and Danny Ahlstrom, both at the same time! Over the years every time I saw either one of these guys they give me a kiss and a hug. The last time I saw both of them together was at Denny Mayes house when John and I crashed their 50th Reunion. I called both Jim Bob and Danny about six months ago, just to make sure they both knew how very much it meant to me that they took the time, to kidnap a little girl and take her to the Homecoming Dance. Jim Bob was still so humbled by his act of over 50 years ago. Danny had more bravado when I thanked him again. That night was one of the high lights of my high school years and of all the dances, it meant the most. Thank you Jim Bob and Danny. Nell Mooney Gutierrez
Kenneth Lyons (1964)
I'm sorry to hear that Jim passed. He was a few years older than me, closer to my brother's age, but I knew him because he lived next-door, and we were pretty good friends. He was always nice to me (apropos of Nell's comment just a bit ago). I knew he had been running the tours down at the lake and dam area, but I lost track of him after that. Reading that obit I was glad to hear how well things went for him.
Sharon Rogers (1961)
Very sorry to hear about Jim Bob. He was a good-looking dude and a great quarterback for our mighty Eagles. He was unpretentious and an all-around nice guy.