12/19/2025
Orvel Junior “OJ” Rowlan, our cherished husband, father and grandfather, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, December 7th in Tulsa, Oklahoma with his loving wife by his side. OJ was born on September 6,1933 in Canute, Oklahoma to Orvel Spurgeon and Iva Salestine Rowlan.
On November 11, 1951, he married the love of his life, Pat and together they were blessed with seven children, seventeen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. OJ and Pat celebrated an extraordinary 74 years of marriage.
OJ retired after 30 years with the Daily Oklahoman, in Enid, Oklahoma, spending the last twenty years as a District Manager. In 1983, the family moved to Mannford, Oklahoma where he built and operated OJ’s Restaurant for many years. He enjoyed helping others and formed friendships everywhere he went, touching countless lives with his kindness and sincerity.
OJ lived his faith with devotion and joy. He was a proud member of the First Methodist Church of Mannford, where he dedicated many hours to serving others. His contributions to the Church and the Mannford community were numerous and deeply appreciated, leaving a lasting impact on all who knew him.
Orvel was raised to the degree of Master Mason in February 1993 and was a member of the Mannford Lodge #515. He served as Worshipful Master in both 1999 and 2002. OJ became a Shriner in June 1993 and a Member of Adkar Shrine, Tulsa, Oklahoma, as well as the Keystone Shrine Club. One of his most meaningful acts of service was transporting children to Shriner Hospitals for treatment – an honor he held close to his heart.
OJ enjoyed boating, camping, square dancing, and traveling, and he treasured every moment spent sharing these activities with his family and friends.
He is survived by his beloved wife Pat; their children, Lynn (Darlene) Rowlan, Debora Balfour; Pamella (Al) Stewart; Shelly (Wayne) Bruski; and Dan Rowlan; his grandchildren, Alison (Kyle) Anderson, Nathan (Amanda) Rowlan, Jill (Dan) Gonzales, Amy (Stephen) Criss, Morgan Stewart, Nicola Bailey, Jacob (Samantha) Coffman, Sophie (Matthew) Mendoza, Isabel Bruski, Brandon (Krystal) Bruski, Erin Bruski, Jordan Rowlan, Kaitlin (Rhett) Cagle, Madelyn Rowlan, Sullivan Rowlan, London (Brooke) Rowlan, and Riker Rowlan; great-grandchildren Max Anderson, Heidi Anderson, Gavin Christian, Liam Rowlan, Jacey Gonzales, Daniel Gonzales, Ty Criss, Leonie Coffman, Koen Bruski, Gannon Bruski, Amelia Flynn, Axell Cagle, and Vann Cagle, nieces, nephews and many friends.
Orvel was preceded in death by his sons, Rodger Keith Rowlan and Alan Ray Rowlan, his mother and father, Orvel and Iva Rowlan, siblings and their spouses, Ray (Faye) Rowlan, Roy (Ella) Rowlan, Iva Pearl (Edward) Martin and Dorothy (Bob) Whittenberg, nieces Delma (Alvin) Wingo and Ida Faye (Harry) Glasgow, Ella Pearl Kirk, Barbara (Randy) Owen, and nephew William Roy Rowlan.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 20, at 1:00 p.m. at the First Methodist Church, 100 E. Greenwood Avenue, Mannford, Oklahoma. Burial will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Mannford, Oklahoma. Viewings will be held Saturday, December 13 from 2-4 p.m. and Tuesday, December 16 from 5-7 p.m. at Mobley-Groesbeck Funeral Service, 211 East Broadway, Sand Springs, Oklahoma.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Methodist Church of Mannford.
Orvel Junior OJ Rowlan, our cherished husband, father and grandfather, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, December 7th in Tulsa, Oklahoma with his loving wife by his side. OJ was born on September 6,1933 in Canute, Oklahoma to Orvel Spurgeon and Iva Salestine Rowlan. On November 11,
