Royal Jay Rowley

Royal Jay Rowley of Shelley, age 81, died Saturday, October 14, 2006 at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.    

Jay was born in Shelley on April 17, 1925 to Royal James and Mary Ann Jones Rowley.  He was the youngest of 10 children and the last living member of his original family.  

In 1943 Jay enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he became a SeaBee.  Stationed in the South Pacific in World War II he participated in the invasion of Tinian and the consequent airfield construction.  He later helped construct air fields during the Korean War.       

Prior to his official military service, Jay left high school to help with the war effort by working in the gun plant in Ogden, Utah.  On May 28, 2002, those patriotic men who sacrificed their high school graduation were honored with an honorary diploma presented by the Shelley school district.      

On November 27, 1946 he married his eternal sweetheart, Cleo Coleman, in Idaho Falls, Idaho.  They made their home in Shelley where they raised three sons and a daughter.  Their marriage was solemnized on February 16, 1963 in the Idaho Falls LDS temple.        From that point forward, church service was integral in Jay’s life; he served as elder’s quorum president, stake missionary, high councilor, bishop’s councilor, ward executive secretary, and assistant ward clerk. Jay was most remembered for his diligent home teaching—never missing a visit in at least 14 years. Jay and Cleo served a one year mission in the New Mexico, Albuquerque mission dedicating most of their time to working with the Navajo Indians.      

Always an energetic man, Jay loved construction and worked in the construction industry throughout his entire life.  The concrete construction business was his first career, where he excelled until his retirement from Amcor in 1986 after 43 years.  Soon after retirement he began his second career as a building inspector for the city of Shelley where he worked part-time until his death.      

Jay will always be remembered as the man who could fix anything.  His knowledge of construction and fabrication enabled him to build and repair almost anything—many times as a service to others.  In addition to repairing things his hobbies included hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, and supporting family members in important events.       In 1990 Jay was honored by the city of Shelley as its “Citizen of the Year,” an honor that he was too modest to talk about, but of which he was proud.      

His family and friends will miss him and remember him fondly.  Of those who will remember him and strive to continue his legacy of integrity, diligence, and dedication include his wife, Cleo; his sons, Terry (and wife, Sharon) of Yakima, WA, Danny (and wife, Donna) of Idaho Falls, Michael (and wife, Carolyn) of Rexburg; and daughter Janis Pascoe (and husband, Kim) of Shelley; 21 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2006 at the Shelley Eighth Ward building, 184 N. Park with Bishop Lynn Beck conducting. Viewings will be held from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006 at Nalder Funeral Home, 110 W. Oak Street in Shelley, and 9:30 to 10:40 a.m. Wednesday at the Eighth Ward building. The family welcomes any who wish to attend.  The burial will be at the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery. Military rites will be preformed by the Stewart Hoover Post #23 of Blackfoot.