Roy Rowland

Roy Rowland, 89, of Cartwright, Okla. passed away on Thursday, June 4, 2020.  He was born and raised in southern Oklahoma.

After graduation from high school, he sought adventure and joined the United States Air Force on August 14, 1950. After completing school for Jet Engine Maintenance, he was assigned to Perrin Field, in Denison, Texas, where he would eventually meet Mary (Dean) Smith. He was later assigned to King Salmon Airfield in Alaska for one year. He returned to Denison, Texas, where he married Mary (Dean) Smith on July 16, 1960.  They enjoyed almost 59 years together.

They were stationed throughout the United States with assignments to Great Britain and Germany. They loved to travel and took every opportunity to visit countries throughout Europe. Eventually they retired from the Air Force and spent time in Omaha, Neb. and San Antonio, Texas before really retiring to Cartwright, Okla. There they bought some land, built a home, and became the center for family get togethers.

Roy was very curious and creative. While in the Air Force he changed jobs and became a computer programmer. Over his career he wrote numerous programs involving things from Top Secret projects to tracking weather satellites. When he left the Air Force he worked for Civilian Contractors who wrote classified programs for the nations security. He later went to work for the Air Force Logistics Command at Kelly Air Force Base, San Antonio Texas.  There he wrote and implemented programs that managed the Logistical requirements for bases throughout the United States.

Roy is survived by son, Roy Eugene and wife Regina Rowland of Lone Grove, Okla.; granddaughter, Tifini and husband Alex Flores of Ardmore, Okla.; step-daughter, Mary Evelyn deCento and husband Ron of Denison, Texas; step-grandson, Steve deCento and wife Rhonda, of Springtown, Texas, their son Chase deCento and wife Kaymie and their son Kason, of Springtown, Texas; step-granddaughter, Ronda deCento and fiance Jason Miller of New Braunfels, Texas; step-great-granddaughter, Morgan Smith and husband Jason Smith, with step-great-great-grandson Jaydin Noah and step-great-great-granddaughter Jaycee Leigh, of Denison, Texas; step-great-grandson, Zane Gregory, of New Braunfels, Texas, and beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dean Rowland, father, mother, and eight siblings.

Funeral services for Roy will be held at Cunningham Funeral Home Chapel at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2020 with Ron DeCento officiating. Burial will follow at the Rose Hill Cemetery, in Calera, Okla. The family will receive friends one-hour prior of service.

Funeral arrangements are being managed by Cunningham Funeral Home in Colbert, Okla.