John Maxwell Rowntree

John Maxwell Rowntree died peacefully February 2, 2003, at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City after a lengthy illness. He was born to Maxwell John Rowntree and Naomi Tully Rowntree on September 4, 1924, in Eufaula, Oklahoma. His family moved to New York City where he lived as a child before moving to Oklahoma City. He graduated from Classen High School in 1941 and entered the University of Oklahoma where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. When the United States entered World War II, he served as an Infantry Sergeant in the European Theater where he was awarded The Bronze Star and The Purple Heart for actions taken and injuries received in combat at the age of 18. After the war, he attended Clemson University before returning to OU to study Geology and Pre-Law. At OU, he met Mary Jane Sharp. They were married in New York City in 1946 and lived there until they moved to Oklahoma City where he entered Oklahoma City University Law School. During and after his completion of Law School and the Bar Examination, he worked for a major oil company and two independent oil companies until entering private practice in 1973. He remained in private law practice, specializing in Oil and Gas Law, until his gradual retirement in the mid 1990's. Mary Jane predeceased him in 1986 after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. On August 20, 1989, he married Betty Mee Cannaviello of Oklahoma City. Betty was a loving and devoted wife and they were happily married until his death. He was a Life Master bridge player, a Deacon and Sunday School teacher in the Presbyterian Church, a Little League Baseball coach, a volunteer teacher to the illiterate, a skilled advocate and a dancer. He loved to read and laugh, but his greatest love and source of pride was his family, who will miss him dearly. He is survived by his wife, Betty, of the home; son John Rowntree Jr. and wife Nancy Rowntree of Edmond; daughter Lisa Barrowman and husband Brett Barrowman of Oklahoma City; stepson Riccardo Cannaviello of Solana Beach, California; grandchildren Nicholas Rowntree of New York City, Paige Rowntree of New York City, William Rowntree of Norman, Brooke Barrowman of Oklahoma City, and Lucas Barrowman of Norman; sisters Tully Jo Keltner of Oklahoma City and Judy DesLauriers of St. Charles, Illinois as well as several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4400 North Shartel, Oklahoma City, on Thursday, February 6, 2003, at 2:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.