Charles Ray Rowson

Charles Ray Rowson, age 89, of Fulton, passed away on Wednesday, December 12, 2012, at Fulton Manor Care Center. He was born May 3, 1923, in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of the late Lester and Anna (Frankum) Rowson. On June 16, 1946, he married Lavawn Johnson at the Johnson home near Moorefield, Nebraska. Charles graduated in 1940 from Hooper High School, Hooper, Nebraska. He served in the U. S. Navy during World War II in the South Pacific and Philippines from August 1943 thru February 1946. After his service to his country, he worked at Rosedale Ranch near North Platte, Nebraska for 16 years, six of those as manager. He was employed in Soil Conservation Service 15 years in Callaway County and three years in Boone County. Charles always had a special interest in soil and water conservation, farming and ranching. He also worked several years at Callaway Farmer's Equipment and Merten's Construction. He retired in 1990, after working as Ag Representative at the Callaway Bank. Charlie was a member and deacon of the First Christian Church and member and Past Noble Grand of Odd Fellows Lodge Number 105. He was a charter member and Past President of Fulton Breakfast Optimist Club. He was a member of VFW Post 2657 in Fulton and American Legion Post 163 in North Platte, Nebraska. He is survived by Lavawn, his wife of 66 years; one daughter Donna (Norman) Rainey of Independence, Oregon; one son, Mike (Becky) Rowson of Columbia, Mo.; one sister Helen (Richard) Kimball of North Platte, Nebraska; four grandchildren, Chris Rainey, of LaCenter, Washington; Mark Rainey, Seattle, Washington; Scott Rowson, Columbia, Mo. and Amy Rowson of Ashland, Mo.; five great-grandchildren, Jordan Rainey, Logan Rainey, Ryland Rainey, Beckett Rowson and Ayla Rowson. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Virginia McCaig and Effie Hyde and two brothers; Roy Rowson and John Rowson. Funeral services will be held at Debo Funeral Home at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, with Rev. Ed Varnum officiating. Burial will follow in the Callaway Memorial Gardens Cemetery with full military honors. The family will receive friends on Monday, December 17, 2012, from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorials are suggested to First Christian Church, c/o Debo Funeral Home, 833 Court St., Fulton, MO 65251. Condolences can be sent by visiting www.debofuneralhome.com.