Obituary of Stephen Paul Rowan

Murfreesboro - Stephen Paul Rowan, age 59 of Murfreesboro, passed away Wednesday, November 2, 2022. Mr. Rowan was born December 22, 1962 in Providence, Rhode Island to the late John William Rowan, Jr. and Mildred June Cobain Rowan. He is survived by his beloved wife, Margaret Gourley Rowan of Murfreesboro, TN; the couple attended World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro; son, John Paul Rowan (Lakin) of Hermitage, TN; daughter, Victoria Michelle Raynor (Matthew) of White House, TN; brother, Daniel J. Rowan (Nicole) of Exeter, Rhode Island; sister Bethany MacLead (Alex) of Charlestown, Rhode Island; extended family, Brittany Leigh Jones (Jason) of Castalian Springs, TN and Margaret Christina  Carman (Michael) of Gallatin, TN; 7 grandchildren: Carson Carman, Levi Raynor, Lane Jones, Fallon Carman, Harrison Carman, Owen Raynor, and Maddox Rowan; nieces: Jessica Dunn (Dave), Rebecca Collins (Tyler), Erica Rowan, Rachel Soito, Maicey MacLeod, Grace MacLeod and Piper MacLeod. While graduating from Rhode Island College with a B.S. Degree in Accounting and Management, music and flight were Stephen’s interest as a young man; playing saxophone in a touring jazz band and flying his father and friends on various excursions in a Cessna 152/172. Later, Stephen was employed by State Farm Insurance Company for over 30 years, working in offices throughout the United States and deployed multiple times with the State Farm Catastrophe Services Team. He was involved with Freemasonry for 35 years, including York Rite Masonry. Mr. Rowan served our country as a member of the Army National Guard, ranking as Captain; his most memorable assignment was working the L.A. Riots, his involvement is chronicled in Fires & Furies by James Delk. His love of helping others led to volunteerism with March of Dimes, Habitat for Humanity and Knights of Columbus; his commitment to local athletics resulted in Booster with the MTSU Blue Raider Athletic Association for 15 years. However, his true passion was cooking for others: Worship in the Woods, State Farm and MTSU Tailgates, family weddings, graduations and neighborhood celebrations.   Stephen was a member of the Kansas City Barbecue Society and SCA, a Jack Daniels International BBQ Ambassador and Certified Master Barbecue Judge. In keeping with Mr. Rowan’s loving and generous spirit, it was his decision to donate his body to Vanderbilt University for the advancement of science. Memorial donations may be made to Blue Raider Athletic Association, MTSU Box 576, 1301 E. Main Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37132 or Knights of Columbus, Marian Council #4563, 1601 N. Tennessee Blvd. Murfreesboro, TN 37130.