Timothy George Rowley, 69, of Pinconning, MI passed away on March 1, 2024. Born to George and Wilda Rowley March 17, 1954 in Gladwin, MI.
He graduated from High School in 1972 from Gladwin. He grew up on the family farm with his parents and siblings, Dan and Coral Beth. As he grew, he developed a love and interest for many things, as the most prominent were classic country music, antique tractors, farming, steam locomotives, and firearms.
Yet, his single most important qualities were his devotion to his family, a devoted member of the Church of Christ, Bay City Mi and his dedication to the Word of Jesus Christ. In 1981, he met his future wife, Diane Scott, who in 1982 on July 30, married him. Diane brought her son, Joel Olvera, into Tim’s life and the family life of Tim Rowley officially began.
In 1983, she bore him a son, James Arthur, in 1984, daughter Jessica Diane, and in 1987, Jennifer Lynne. Throughout his life, Tim continued to be a hardworking, dedicated Christian, father, musician, mechanic, and farmer. His main ethos in life was to always create, never destroy, and that showed in how he lived.
His country music musicianship began as a guitar player and singer, but in order to play true classic country music, Tim began to devote himself to learning and mastering the steel guitar, for which his hard work became the source of many opportunities and accomplishments throughout his career.
Though Tim Rowley was a member of many county music bands and outfits, his contributions figured most prominently in the following groups: The Country Knights, JR County, Al and Ed Kirchoff and the AK Outlaws, Tommy and Karen Miller of KT Entertainment, Dale Michaels and Friends, Butch Heath and Yesterday’s Country, Dan Rowley and Kip Fritcher of Ten Mile Circle, Michelle Spitz, Helen DeBaker Vorce, and the most recent, Jeff Walikangas, Donny Brown, Scottie Van Dell, and Johnny Butler of The Claim Jumpers, where he was affectionately known as “The Professor”. He also played in country festivals throughout the 90’s and 2000’s supporting classic country music stars at the Prairieville Farm Days music festival.
For his efforts, Tim was awarded a place in the Michigan Country Music Hall of Fame on June 30, 2000. Again, on June 24, 2018, Tim was inducted into the United States Steel Guitar Players Association Hall of Fame. He was a recipient of The Bear Award, presented by Butch Heath, in honor of Dan “Bear” Smith, on June 20, 2018. Tim also collaborated with fellow musician Kelly Groholski and released two albums, The Message (2012) and Inspired (2017).
Professionally, Tim worked as a social worker for the State of Michigan in West Branch, MI from February 5, 1980 to March 31, 2009, when he officially retired. His role as a social worker was to help determine eligibility for and to distribute financial benefits to struggling families in the West Branch area. This kind of profession was reflective of the nature of Tim, always wanting to give and helps others. Tim was a regular contributor to his community.
Throughout the 2000’s, he was a long-time member of the Estey Moose Lodge. He worked for Jim Hasso Farms of Pinconning working on tractors and farming for the past 4 years. He played and toured many venues playing classic country music, and he continued to share music until his passing.
As for his love for tractors, Tim was a member and President of the Sunshine Tractor Club in Standish, MI. He owned and restored multiple tractors, had many friends and acquaintances who own tractors, and participated in many tractor-pull competitions. In the same capacity, Tim was able to have his father’s tractor fully restored, which was his final pride and joy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Wilda. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Diane, his children James, Jessica, Jennifer and his step-son, Joel Olvera, his siblings Dan (Peggy) and Coral Beth, his grandchildren Michael, Marcus, Jaelynn, and Jeneva (Pickett), stepgrandchildren Breanna, Deanna, Mianna, Zerionah, and great-grandchildren Brelawn and Amir.