Donald Lee Rowland, 86 years young, of Rolla, MO, died from cancer complications on Sunday, November 15, 2020. He was a 1954 graduate of Salem High School.
He was so valiant after having a heart transplant 17 years ago and beat many odds and the expectations of this medical team.
Lee was born on August 1, 1936, in Salem, Nebraska, to the late William and Estella (Randall) Rowland.
On January 31, 1958, he married Nikky (Kato) on January 31, 1958.
Mr. Rowland was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, retiring after 20 plus years of service, earning the rank of Master Sergeant. He continued working in Civil Service and volunteered with the Rolla Police Department for many years before permanently retiring.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Junior, Charles, Marion (Bud), Dickie (in infancy), Kenneth, and Everett. Sisters, Hazel Lewis, Annabelle Portrey and Coradean.
He is survived by his wide Nikky of Rolla, Mo, daughters, Elizabeth Wann, of Rolla, Mo and Susan Miller of Illinois and son, Bryan of North Carolina; two sisters, Millie Marrs of Falls City and Linda Hance of Doolittle, Mo; two brothers, Walter of Falls City, NE and Bob of Sabetha, KS, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
