Austin (Rick) Rowley

Austin (Rick) Rowley passed peacefully from this life, into the next on January 3, 2023, surrounded by loved ones, at the age of 92. Rick was born in Parowan, Utah April 12, 1930 to Lela Rowley and spent some of his youth in the small Southern Utah town surrounded by many cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Rick would later be adopted into the family of a loving Uncle and Aunt, Clair and Roberta Rowley, being sealed to them for eternity and seamlessly included amongst 7 loving siblings: Robert (Katrine), Afton Topam (Waldo), Doyle (Marilyn), Claire Dale Terry, Brown, Welti (Carlson, Rodney, Bob), Rodney (Patricia), Don (Nancy), Doug (Joan). Eventually, Rick moved to Salt Lake and attended West High School. He made many lifelong friends at this time in the “West High” group.

Rick joined the United States Air Force after High School and ended up at Laughlin Air Force base in San Antonio, Texas. Here he met Beverly Thompson and they were married. Five children were born from this union; Michael, Russell, Cheryl, Scott and David, who passed away shortly after his birth. Rick and Beverly were divorced after returning to Utah.

Rick met Lynda Mather, a divorced mother of 3, Camille, Kelly and Wendy, in December of 1968 and they were married April 26th, 1969, marriage sealed in the Salt Lake Temple April, 1970. They had one daughter together, Erin.

He loved trips to the cabin, especially with the snowmobiles in the winter, and trips to Lake Powell on the “Aquafun”. He especially loved fishing at the cabin and at Mill Hollow with the grandkids. Rick and Lynda traveled to many places with family and friends, especially by cruise ship, including Europe, Alaska and the North East Atlantic region. For many years, they would make an annual trip to New England for Columbus Day and extensively explored Fall foliage, lighthouses and historic sites.

Rick loved sports, specifically Little League baseball, softball and BYU football. He coached his kid’s baseball teams in the ‘60’s, played “All Church” softball and even pitched. It was not uncommon to find him watching random Woman’s softball tournaments, the Little League world series or any BYU football game, even if it was a rerun from 20 years ago.

Rick owned and operated a cabinet business for over 30 years. He designed, built and installed a lot of kitchens, bathroom cabinets, hutches and bookshelves. He could build just about anything.

Part of Rick’s genetic makeup was a very corny sense of humor which can easily be traced back to his Rowley heritage. This was painfully evident when 2 or more Rowleys would be gathered together for any reason, but almost unbearable when scores of Rowleys would be together at a family reunion. The “Rowley Joke” is something that will remain in this life as an infamous legacy of our beloved father and grandfather.

Rick had a love of happy endings which surely fueled his appetite for Hallmark movies. He loved music, musicals and could sing almost any song written between 1930 and 1970. He had a perpetual optimistic outlook on life and a strong sense of what was right. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in many callings throughout his life.

Rick’s greatest joy, especially in his later years, was his family. He and Lynda had 23 grandchildren and 57 great-grandchildren. They relished frequent family gatherings, especially for holidays. The group had become so large that Classic Skating had become a nice place to accommodate the size of the group.

No doubt Rick was greeted warmly on Tuesday morning by many family members and friends that have passed to the other side of the veil before him. He truly loved Lynda, who was his earthly companion for over 53 years and will be his eternal companion forever. That is an earthly joy that he did take with him. He also took with him many wonderful and special gifts that I am sure will be put to good use, in the service of the Lord and gathering of Israel as he awaits that reunion. But until we see him again, we will miss him A LOT!

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 1:00 pm at the Murray 1st Ward, 755 Three Fountains Circle, Murray, Utah, where viewings will be held Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and Saturday from 12:00 to 1:00 pm prior to the service.

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