Michael Rowen

1959 - 2014

Anchorage, Alaska, resident Michael Rowen, 55, sadly and regretfully passed away on Nov. 7, 2014. He died of natural causes. A service will be held at the Alaska Aviation Museum on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, at 5 p.m. The service will be conducted by Pastor John Carpenter. Michael was born on Feb. 22, 1959, in Peoria, Ill., to Barbara and Jim Rowen. He grew up in Iuka, Miss., and joined the US Navy at the young age of 17. He married soon after and raised three boys: Kevin, Jason and Michael Jr. He married a second time in 1988 in Norfolk, Va., to Mary Anne, whom he met while in the Navy in Hawaii. He honorably completed 20 years of service, retiring as Chief Petty Office, Torpedman's mate. He is a veteran of Desert Storm and served on the USS Ticonderoga during this conflict. His final duty station was at NTC Orlando, Fla., where he served as an instructor. He remained in Florida for several years, with his wife, working in communications and information technology support and eventually taking employment in the northern Virginia area for a few years. He and his wife boldly and somewhat spontaneously moved to Anchorage, Alaska, to work with the Indian Health Service in 2001. They drove to Alaska from Virginia to take on employment at Kanakanak Hospital in Dillingham, Alaska, he as an IT specialist and she as a nurse. In 2004, he took a hiatus to hike the entire Appalachian trail, a feat he was always most proud of. His goal was one day to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. Michael has been an employee of the Odom Corporation in Anchorage, Alaska, since 2008. He and his wife adopted two beautiful children, Leanna and Faizon in 2009, who enriched his life immensely. Additionally, Mike and his wife provided therapeutic foster care and respite care. He was an avid blood donor. He served as volunteer EMT and firefighter in Dillingham and volunteered for the Red Cross. He enjoyed fishing on his boat in Seward, Alaska, during the summer with his father-in-law. He looked forward to shopping at Costco every weekend. He loved to watch football and "Diners Drive-Ins and Dives." He enjoyed taking his daughter to Arby's and his son to the movies. Michael was a dear person. He always put his family first and there was nothing he would not do for them. He was an extremely generous man. He was very approachable and always there when you needed him. It really seems there was nothing he couldn't do. He had strong convictions and a big heart. He always, always went the extra mile. Michael is survived by his wife, Mary Anne; children, Kevin, Michael Jr., Leanna and Faizon; grandchildren, Trinity, Petra, Zion and Zachary; parents, Barbara and Jim. He is preceded in death by son, Jason; and sister, Deborah. He will be missed by so many. Arrangements entrusted to Legacy Funeral Homes Bragaw Chapel.