Leon Oren "Red" Rowan

Leon Oren “Red” Rowan, 95, a resident of Gray, TN, passed away on May 6, 2026, in Johnson City, Tennessee.  

Red was born & raised in Montrose, West Virginia.  At age 17, he joined the Air Force. He served for 20 years and then worked as a civilian for the Army for 18 more years. His Air Force duty took him to Alaska when it was only a territory and considered an overseas assignment.  Then he was stationed in Florida, where he & his wife were married. Next, it was on to Japan, Texas, and then back to Alaska, where he retired in the mid-1980’s. After retirement, he & his wife moved to Tennessee, where they’ve lived the past 40 years. 

While living in Alaska, he enjoyed soapstone carving and transitioned to wood carving after moving to Tennessee. He could always be found either carving, reading, or working in his yard. 

Red served in numerous Baptist churches as a Sunday School teacher, a deacon, and a choir member. His love for Jesus was the foundation of who he was.

All who knew Red will remember his good humor and his memorable saying when introducing himself to people, “I’m red on the head and flat on the feet.” It portrays the charm and character that made him so distinctive. He kept the staff at the assisted living community where he lived & hospital medical staff chuckling with his home-grown humor. 

He is survived by his wife of almost 75 yrs, JoAnn; his daughter, Gayle & husband Jimmy; his two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. 

His family wants to thank Carla Dunn & her entire staff and therapists at Dominion/StoryPoint, who have been a wonderful blessing beyond words for the past 6 years.  Many thanks also go to James Quillan V.A. hospital & CLC.  They were all fabulous during his long stay there last year. It made this difficult journey much easier. Red’s family also wants to extend their sincere thanks to Caris Hospice & Visiting Angels, who helped to bring love & compassion into challenging situations. Their biggest Thank You is to our Lord Jesus, who has walked with them every step of the way.

His family will receive friends from 6:00-7:00 PM on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Snyder’s Memorial, located at 5913 Kingsport Hwy, Gray, TN. A memorial service will follow, with Roger Barker officiating. Burial will take place two days later in Montrose, WV.

Condolences may be left for the family online at www.snydersmemorialgardens.com.

Snyder’s Memorial is honored to serve the family of Mr. Leon O. Rowan.

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