Gilbert Wayne Rowe
Gilbert Wayne Rowe, Jr. (Wayne) passed peacefully in his sleep into the loving arms of the Lord on Saturday, February 19. Wayne had been recovering from leg surgery after a recent fall.Wayne was a longtime resident of Clear Lake City, where he worked and where he and his beloved wife Glenda raised their family. Wayne was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and was cherished by all.Wayne was born in Alexandria, Louisiana on January 1, 1940 to Gilbert Wayne Rowe, Sr. and Margaret Rose Rowe (Van Asselberg). He graduated from Menard Memorial High School, a catholic boys’ high school operated by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. During those high school years he was blessed to meet the love of his life, Glenda Raye Raymond, who was attending Bolton High School. Wayne and Glenda entered college at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana and married on August 20, 1960.After graduating from college, Wayne was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U. S. Army. He and Glenda moved to El Paso, Texas where he completed two years of service at Fort Bliss. Wayne then began his over 40 year career in the defense and space contracting business. He and Glenda transferred to several cities – Alamogordo, New Mexico; Slidell Louisiana; Beltsville, Maryland – and then to Clear Lake City, Texas. Wayne held several leadership positions during his career, most notably as the manager of the Mission Control Computer Center at the Johnson Space Center. He retired in 2003 and they moved to Willis, Texas on Lake Conroe.Along this more than 40 year career, Wayne and Glenda (who taught high school math) raised their beautiful family and supported their children in numerous activities. They also found time to enjoy their favorite activities – playing bridge and square dancing. Wayne and Glenda also enjoyed traveling, especially cruising; Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, the Panama Canal and Mexico were destinations they visited.
Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert Sr. and Margaret, and his beloved wife, Glenda. He is survived by children – daughters Michelle McKernan (Wayne), Melissa Rowe, Melanie Jakubik (Randy) and son Wayne Eugene Rowe. Wayne is survived by brothers Harold Rowe (Sandy) and Michael Rowe (Sheila). His loving grandchildren are Rachel Elizabeth McKernan (Cody), Caitlin McKernan, Kyle Jakubik, Abigayle Jakubik, Nolan Jakubik and Wayne Elliot Rowe. Wayne is also survived by nephews Brian Rowe, Kevin Rowe, James Rowe and their families and niecesCathy Pearson and Rene’ Weeks and their families
The family is deeply appreciative of the outpouring of sympathy from the many friends and colleagues of Wayne and Glenda. The sentiments and recollections are uplifting and comforting.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Crowder Funeral Home, 111 E Medical Center Blvd, Webster, TX on February 28, 2022 at 3:00pm.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests a gift to one’s favorite charity or to the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of Wayne and Glenda Rowe.
Prayers for the family and I will always remember Wayne as one of the friends we meet at White Sands missile range, Alamogordo, New Mexico , then we transferred to Slidell, back to together in Houston.
Thanks so much, Loyd. I hope you are doing well.
Harold Rowe
Harold, Sandy and family,
Sonny was such a kind man. I know he will be missed. Sending hugs, prayers and love to all.
Brenda
Very sorry for the loss of a wonderful husband and father prayers being sent up for the entire family
God Bless you and your family.
Please accept our sincere condolences. Wayne was a huge part of our lives at USA. He was thoughtful and a very funny guy. We will keep your family in our prayers.
MIchelle, I am so, so sorry! Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts. Peace be with you.
Wayne appeared in my life in September, 1964, at Hollomon AFB in New Mexico. I’d already heard of him. The employment agency that found me my job had commented, at length, about another job seeker, “That Rowe boy. What a winning personality he has. We won’t have any trouble finding him a job.” I believe they were trying to inspire me to be more like him. A week after I started work for TSI, “that Rowe boy,” joined the same company, and I met him for the first time. I was fortunate to work with him several more times throughout our careers, and I’m sad to hear of his passing. God speed, Wayne. You took a part of us with you, but you left even more behind.
Wayne was my very dear friend and mentor. I always joked he made me mean enough to handle anything at work. He was wonderful and kind and always there for support and help. My sympathy to all of the family.
Wayne was a remarkable person. He often had good advice. I should have listened more often.
God Bless
We grew up together in Alexandria through grammar and high school. Sonny and Glenda were special people in my life. My heart is heavy. Most kindest thoughts and sympathy to the family.
Our thoughts and Prayers are with the entire Rowe Family. Our families developed a very close friendship in the mid-1960s when we lived as neighbors and worked together in Alamogordo New Mexico. That friendship and our families grew as we moved to Maryland and then ultimately moved to Clear Lake City, Texas. Through all of the wonderful years of raising our children and working together, our families celebrated most holidays together and enjoyed successful and Blessed lives. Our lives were truly enriched through the friendship with the Rowe Family.
Our thoughts and Prayers are with the family at this time of sorrow. We will always remember the good times with Wayne and Glenda throughout the many years of our friendship in Alamogordo, Beltsville and Houston.
Jim & Connie Brose
Michelle
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Caregiver @ Heartis Clearlake Senior Living, Mr.Rowe was the highlight of my day he gave life to heartis me and him will sit and talk sometimes and just talk about anything that was on his mind at the moment and I loved and cherished every bit of it, I am glad I got to spend my last good moments with him (which was when we were outside in the front doors of concierge in the rocking chairs and talked about how beautiful the sky was looking that day) forever will cherish him on my heart and I appreciate the family for choosing heartis I got to meet my best friend Mr.Wayne
I first met Wayne at Lockheed and reunited again with USA. He always had a lot to say and always pleasant to be around. May you rest in peace my friend.
God bless you, Laneysa!
Hi, med tech/caregiver at Heartis Clear Lake. Wayne brought so much joy to my life in just the short time I knew him. Wayne was a funny man, full of jokes, and always putting a smile on my face as well as the other residents. Nothing made me smile more than when he would respond “thanks babe” after I assisted him with something. It would be an understatement to say Wayne was loved by so many, between the visits from his children, outings to dinner with his brother, and calls from old friends (I remember receiving a call one day from Bob McFadden and to my surprised Wayne remembered him and they were able to talk on the phone that evening) it was clear Wayne was loved unit the very end. Wayne definitely holds a very special place in heart and working at Heartis will not be the same without him there. Rest easy ‘best friend.’
Harold, Sandy and family,
Those who have brought us joy, made us laugh, and shown us love have given us the lasting gifts and blessed our memories shared forever. My love and prayers are with you all, as well as Sonny’s children, grandchildren, nephews and families as you face the difficult days ahead.
Much love and prayers,
So incredibly sorry for your loss. He was an amazing man and y’all are an amazing family! Love and prayers. ❤️🙏🏻❤️
My condolences to the family. Wayne was a real professional and wonderful to work with over the years on the Space Shuttle Program. Prayers to all his family.
My prayers and thoughts are with the family. I worked with Wayne throughout my career at Rockwell/USA. He was an excellent mentor and great friend. Godspeed Wayne!
We were friends for many years and I will miss him greatly. My sincere condolences to his family, especially his children. Farewell my good friend.
Benny G- Heartis Medtech- My deepest condolences to the Rowe family for the loss of mr wayne. He was a funny funny man !! I took care or wayne and his beloved wife glenda, god rest her soul, since I began my employment with heartis. He would insist on visiting ms glenda for all meals and was so loving and thoughtful to his wife day in and out. He will be so missed by all of us here. He would always ask me “what should I be doing” I would say “im not sure what should I be doing?” He would without failing say “how the hell am I supposed to know”
To his brother Harold, I can’t say “I know how hard this must be” because I don’t know at all how this feels. But what I can say is he knew how much his little bubba loved him and he was loved by everyone that took care of him.
To his kids. This is a time for sadness and weeping but also a time for rejoicing! Mama and daddy are reunited at last. Pain and suffering is unheard of wherever they are now. Your dad loved all of you so much and never had a mean thing to say. Melanie, melissa, michelle and little wayne your dad is free from all sickness and pain and will always be in your heart.
Unofficial nephew,
Benny G. <3
My sincerest condolences for the loss of Wayne. Your family will be in my prayers.
I didn’t see the notice until today, but I knew Wayne from my days in Bldg. 30 at JSC before I retired in 2002. He was a well-liked person and I was glad to have worked with him during those years.
I didn’t learn about the death notice of Wayne until today. I knew Wayne back in 1999 when I started working as an Engineering Staff with NASA International Space Station project in Bldg. 30 at JSC. He was a good mentor. As a person, he was very nice and friendly. It is very sad that we are losing good people from our planet.