John J. Rowe, age 81 was born October 5, 1942, to Kenneth Rowe and Ethel Marsh Rowe in Edwards, NY.  He passed away at home in Crossville July 3rd.

He was a member of Lantana Road Baptist Church in Crossville.  Within the church he devoted his life to multiple community missionary work including church deacon, bus ministry, choir member, and youth group. 

John was known to be a gentle giant with a quick wit sense of humor which may have led to some shenanigans to his family and friends.  He also had a passion for driving racecars at Watertown and Evans Mills tracks in NY.  Where he also continued to watch his grandchildren in the local tracks in NY. 

John graduated from Edwards Central District in Edwards, NY in 1961 where he was set up on a blind date to his beloved wife, Barbara.  Married on July 20, 1963.  They resided in Antwerp, NY until 1998 then moved to Ocala, Fl and finally settled in Crossville, TN. 

He started working at the St. Joe Zinc Mine in Edwards, NY and became known as Big Bad John within the mine.   He then became a bus driver for Indian River Central School then became a truck driver with Anchor Motor Freight and True Value. 

John was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years Barbara Williams Rowe, his parents, younger brother Rolland, older sister Shirley Woodward and grandchild Zechariah Smith.

He is survived by his daughters, Kimberly Strife (Peter) of Antwerp, NY, Christine Oliver of Crossville, TN, Heather Spangler (Matthew) of Ocala, FL, son, John Rowe (Tatjana) of Crossville, TN, as well as 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. 

The family will receive friends at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home on Saturday, July 13th from 2 to 4pm, with the service to follow at 4pm, Pastor Brian Campbell officiating.