Tracy Rowe

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Tracy Rowe, age 58, was called home on October 31, 2020. He was born in Joplin, Missouri on October 29, 1962 to Barry and Nancy (Downey) Rowe. He graduated from Iola High School in Iola, Kansas. 

He went on to play baseball at Allen County Community College and then Emporia State University, where he met his love of his life. He and his wife Kristi (Gordon) were united in marriage on August 16, 1986 in Wichita, Kansas. They went on to have four kids. 

He worked in multiple facets of business, currently as the Regional Operations Manager for Avant-Guarde Healthcare. He was also a pastor for many years. He pastored at Crossroads Christian Church in Baxter Springs, Kansas and in most recent years Park Hill Nazarene Church in Galena, Kansas. He lived his life loving God and loving others. 

One of the ways that he loved others was by sharing his love of sports. He was passionate about making an impact on the youth in the community by teaching them to play the game, but also teaching them how to play the game of life. He had a love for each person he coached and continued to play a role in their life long after he finished coaching them. He loved his family well by leading by example and putting others first. He was intentional each day to make sure his family knew how much he loved them and how proud he was of each of them. He was a wonderful husband, dad, father-in-law, and papa.

He is in preceded in death by his mother, Nancy (Downey) Rowe, and brother, Alan Rowe. 

He is survived by his wife, Kristi, of the home; daughter, Casey and her husband Chris Swartz and their two daughters, Cait and Collins, of Girard, Kansas; three sons, Bryce and his wife Ashley of Wichita, KS, Ty and his wife Alexis of Webb City, MO, and Cody of Lawrence, KS. He is also survived by his father, Barry Rowe of Baxter Springs, KS, and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Phil and Peggy Gordon of Wichita, KS. He has two sisters, Melanie Stuckey and her husband, Clint, and Mitzi Farran and brother, Mike Rowe and his wife Sharon. He is also survived by his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Cathy and Bruce Sanderson. He also had many nieces and nephews, whom he loved.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 5th from 5:00-7:00 at Park Hill Nazarene in Galena, KS. The funeral service will be on Friday, November 6th at 10:00 at Pittsburg Nazarene Church in Pittsburg, KS. Pastor Kyle Rogers will officiate. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to Live Like Jesus Today Ministries, 208 Craig Street, Ellinwood, KS 67526. Tracy was passionate about sharing the gospel and loved the way this ministry did that. While he will be missed greatly, this will continue to make an eternal impact. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.