Richard L. Rowland

Richard Lee Rowland Sr. was born on July 28, 1960 in Dayton, Ohio to Orthella Rowland and Edward Burl Rowland Sr. He attended elementary school at Edison Elementary and middle school at Wogaman Middle School. He explored some sports but inevitably found his way to his true passion of music when he picked up his first guitar as a young child. Richard went on to attend Meadowdale High School and enlisted as an officer in the U.S Navy where he received his diploma.

While he was stationed in Gulfport, MS he met his first wife, Claudette Rowland on a basketball court. He dated her for a year before they married on July 17,1981. Shortly after marriage, they moved to Houston, TX and welcomed their first son, Richard Lee Rowland Jr., who proceeded him in death on October 23, 2021. They eventually moved back to Gulfport, MS where they welcomed their second son, Quinton Rowland in the year of 1988. They spent a few years in Mississippi before they relocated to Kansas City, MO in 1991. They went on to welcome their only daughter, Shanissa Rowland in the year 1992. Richard and Claudette eventually divorced after being married for 26 years. 

While in Missouri, Richard was a member of The Apolostic Church of Jesus Christ where he did work as a minister and was recognized as one of the top musicians in the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW). He also had a strong addiction recovery ministry that he was motivated to create after battling and winning his struggles with addiction. He also worked as a Medical Support Assistant for the Veteran Affairs Administration for almost 20 years.

Richard had an undeniable love for music and producing. He started his own music production company called RLR Productions in the early 2000’s and also started his own band called Magic Funk. Richard was an extremely talented musician and singer who wrote and performed his own music. He played several instruments but was most known for playing the keyboard and bass guitar. He was also a member of several live band groups such as, the U.S. Navy Band, Rampage, Motion, and Total Package.

After his divorce, he relocated to Leavenworth, KS where he joined Trinity Church of God and Christ. While attending a service he met his second wife, Leaha Gilstrap, who he was still married to at the time of his departure. They married on December 15, 2007 where they were happily married for 17 years. They enjoyed creating and performing music together. 

Richard had a strong relationship with God and his family. He was a very loving and kind hearted man. He leaves to cherish behind his wife Leaha Rowland, his son Quinton Rowland, his daughter Shanissa Rowland, his mother Orthella Rowland, his father Edward Rowland Sr (Evelyn Ann), three brothers Edward Rowland Jr, Mark Rowland and Tony Rowland, two sisters Charlotte Philips and Denise Jackson, six grandchildren Barbara Rowland (Barra), LeeAnn Rowland (Leviyah), Miykayah Rowland, Miykael Rowland, Samson Rowland, and Azaryah Rowland. He also leaves to cherish a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, and a great grandchild.

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