John Rowe

John R. Rowe, Sr., died on January 26, 2021, at his home in Bell, with many family members present. He would have turned 87 on February 4. He was born in Tallahassee in 1934. He grew up in Tallahassee, graduated from Leon High School, and received a bachelors degree from Florida State. Coach Rowe moved to Bell in 1958, and after living again briefly in Tallahassee, returned in 1962 to coach at Trenton High School. He coached boys and girls basketball in this area for over 50 years, winning championships and investing time in students and players. He received the Min Ayers Lifetime Achievement Award from the Gilchrist County Chamber of Commerce. The basketball court at the original Trenton gym was named the "Coach John R. Rowe, Sr. Court" in his honor. He was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Trenton. He is survived by his wife Nancy Rowe of Bell; by their children John Rowe, Jr. and wife Lesa of Trenton, Terry Thomas and wife Karrilyn of Ft. Lauderdale, Suzanne Rowe and husband Mark Corley of Eugene, Oregon, Natalie Hodge and husband Scottie of Bell, and Jennifer Rowe Verhaeren and husband Leo of Gainesville; by their grandchildren Alyssa Hodge, John Rowe III and wife Wendy, Adrianna Hodge, Christine Rowe, Eowyn Verhaeren, Joel Hodge, and Zoey Thomas, and great-granddaugher Raleigh Byrd; by his sister Marilyn Sellars of Tallahassee and Paulette Rowe Coons and husband Bill of Humble, TX; and by nieces and nephews across the country. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the John R. Rowe Scholarship Education Foundation of Gilchrist County, PO Box 1816, Trenton, FL 32693 or donations can be made directly at Capital City Bank. A service is being planned for the future. Arrangements under the care of Knauff Funeral Homes, Williston/Chiefland (352)528-3481/493-4777.