Rest in Peace: Jim Rowe (1955-2004)

[KLCoombs]

I just received the devastating news that Jim Rowe died yesterday. Attached is the text of the email sent out by Terry Treat, commander of the Black Horse Troop. Funeral arrangments have not been made yet and if you want to be kept informed, please email Terry with your email address, at tjtreat@firstcommand.com

This is just unbelievable and I'm still in shock. If anyone had everything in th world to live for, Jim did. A real light has gone out in the cavalry reenacting hobby. Please remember him in your prayers.

--Kathryn Coombs

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Text of Terry's email follows:

Friends: It is my sad duty to notify you of the death, by suicide, of
our friend and fellow trooper, Jim Rowe, on Sunday, Feb 8. All I can
offer at this point in the way of explanation is that Jim, within the
last few days, was forced to a decision to close his business,
Mid-County Feed in Warrenton.
We shall miss him dearly.
Please help to disseminate this sad news to those who knew Jim. Instruct
those who want details about Jim's final arrangements, which I will
publish as soon as I can, to provide me with their e-mail address. I
will meet with Jim's wife, Margaret, tomorrow to help her with the
planning.
YHS,
Terry Treat
Commanding, The Black Horse

[Coley Adair]

Re: Jim Rowe, Rest in Peace

Jim Rowe was a fine man, he will be missed.

[CJSchumacher]

Re: Jim Rowe, Rest in Peace

Kathryn,

Please tell me this is somehow a mistake! This is horrible news! I was just over at his home for dinner three weeks ago while I was in the area. What a true gentleman and a fine horseman. I'll miss him greatly.

Please keep me informed as you hear more.

cjschu76@yahoo.com

Thanks.

Chris

[GBaylor]

Re: Jim Rowe, Rest in Peace

I just really can't find the words, but to say that Jim was damned fine horseman and a true gentleman. I know I'll truly miss him.

John Sweeney

[paulcalloway]

Re: Jim Rowe, Rest in Peace

Jim has been a contributer around here for a long time and is really going to be missed.

We have placed a small tribute on the front page. My most sincere condolences to his wife Margaret and their family.

[Charles Heath]

Re: Jim Rowe, Rest in Peace

Kathryn,

Thank you so much for posting this tragic news. As the word gets out, a good number of folks, particularly in the far flung cw cav community, will be in denial for days, and gradually move on to the other stages of the grieving process. Jim was one of the finest horsemen, a first rate gentleman, and had a wry sense of humor.

My deepest sympathies to his wife, son, employees, the Blackhorse Cav., and the rest of his family.

Dumbfounded,
Charles Heath

[lesterschumacher]

Re: Jim Rowe, Rest in Peace

I was just talking with Jim last week about Ft. Riley and us getting together to teach me to jump this spring, in preparation for the Cav competition in September. I am devestated. My deepest sympathies to Margaret and the boys. Jim and I shared the same canteen. His presence will be missed. Always a smile, A helping hand, a friend to all. My hand is stretched in comfort to all. I have to go now.

Jim's Friend The Elder

Lester

Lester Schumacher

[Mike Ventura]

Re: Jim Rowe, Rest in Peace

I am shocked and stunned at this sad, sad news.

Jim and I have shared many off-line discussions and emails over the last several years. I will miss his humor as well as his passion for horsemanship and this hobby.

My deepest sympathy to his family, close friends and fellow troopers.

We lost a good one yesterday, boys.

May he rest in peace.

[Ken Knopp]

Re: Jim Rowe, Rest in Peace

Beyond exchanging a few e-mails, I did not know Jim personally so I cannot speak to that. However, I was always profoundly struck by his passion for the hobby. His abilities as a horseman and his zeal for knowledge and authenticity was renown and exemplary. Few went at it like he did and fewer still have done it so well.
I am so sorry. God bless he and his family.

Ken R. Knopp

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Re: Jim Rowe, Rest in Peace

I've read Jim's posts on this forum quite often......

My deepest sympathy goes out to his family....

Aaron,

[Linneus Ahearn]

Re: Jim Rowe, Rest in Peace

This is a sad, sad day. Jim was humorous and helpful to just about everyone. He was also not afraid to play devil's advocate at times. His passing is a shock to me.

We had many discussions about horses and cavalry at our favorite online forums and over email. I was looking forward to meeting him in person for the first time at the Cavalry Competition in September where I expect we would have had many horse tales to tell. Jim's contributions and spirit will be missed.

[Outrider]

Re: Jim Rowe, Rest in Peace

Tis a sad day indeed.
Happy trails Jim.
Patrick McAllister
Critters

[MICHAEL HICKEY]

Re: Jim Rowe, Rest in Peace

Jim will be missed tremendously by all of us. He was a good comrade, great companion, superb horseman and source of knowledge. Stuart and I will count the time we got to spend with him as a blessing. Our prayers go to him and his family.

Tallyho

[Mike Ventura]

Funeral arrangements for Jim Rowe

I received this from Terry Treat, Commander of the Black Horse and thought I would post it here for those who did not receive the email:

---------------------------------
Friends: Following are the details of events to honor the life of our
friend Jim:

Thursday, Feb 12, 3-5PM and 7-9PM, Moser Funeral Home in
Warrenton: Jim's family will receive friends. The Black Horse will
provide an honor guard. Moser Funeral Home, 233 Broadview Ave,
Warrenton, 540-347-3431.

Friday, Feb 13, 2PM, Moser Funeral Home: Funeral services,
followed by a graveside service at Brightwood Cemetery (just east of
Warrenton) commencing at about 3PM, followed by a reception at the
Fauquier County Fairgrounds (.5 mi from the cemetery) beginning at about
4PM.

Mourners, whose association with Jim was through the horse, are
encouraged to wear Civil War uniform, hunt attire, or other riding
attire, to the funeral and graveside services.

Jim's body will be borne by a horse drawn freight wagon, accompanied by
uniformed CW reenactors serving as pallbearers and honor guard, a
mounted representative of the CSA cavalry and of the hunt community, a
riderless horse led by Jim's son James, family and friends. Persons
wishing to participate in the procession should drive directly to the
Fauquier County Fairgrounds following the service at the funeral home;
those who wish to travel directly to the grave site may park in the
cemetery. The procession will organize at the fairgrounds and march .5
mi to the grave site. Following the service, the procession party will
walk back to the fairgrounds for the reception. The funeral service will
include a firing detail and the playing of "Taps" and "Going Home."

All reenactors who wish to serve in the honor guard and firing detail
are requested to wear full uniform, with weapons appropriate to your
branch, to include long arm, and black arm band. All in attendance with
carbine or musket are requested to serve in the firing squad; bring caps
and three rounds of blank ammunition. Please leave unit colors at home.
The only flag in the procession will be the Virginia colors draped upon
Jim's casket.

Margaret has requested donations in lieu of flowers. I suggested that
she allow the reenactment community to acquire Jim's grave site marker,
as our permanent tribute to our friend. Funds received in excess of that
expense will be donated to the Brandy Station Foundation in Jim's
memory. She enthusiastically agreed. If you wish to make a donation,
make your check payable to the "Jim Rowe Memorial Fund". You may mail
it to Terry Treat, FirstCommand, 5900 Centreville Rd, Suite 310,
Centreville, VA 20121; or give it to any member of the Black Horse at
the service.

Jim's obituary should be available on line at www.timescommunity.com by
Thursday. Select "Fauquier", followed by "Obituaries".

I will provide a map of the Warrenton area tomorrow, and phone numbers
for area lodging if you wish to overnight on Friday.

YHS,
Terry Treat
Commanding, the Black Horse
703-968-2622 (w)
540-347-3326 (h)

[CJSchumacher]

Re: Funeral arrangements for Jim Rowe

I know this photo doesn't pertain to CW, but I wanted to post a photo that Jim sent me just three weeks ago.

This is he and his horse, DaNang in 1965. Its hard not to have a smile on your face when you've got a good horse next to you. I'm glad to be able to say that Jim was my friend.

Moderators, my apologies, but if you could leave this up or if need move it to another, more appropriate place...I'd appreciate it.

Chris