Rev. David Ray Rowland

Reverend David Ray Rowland, 90, of Midland, was called home on Monday, January 8, 2024. The family will hold a memorial service at 3:00pm on Friday, January 12, 2024, at The Village at Manor Park Chapel in Midland, Texas. A Celebration of Life will be held later in College Station, Texas.

David, affectionately known as Brother Rowland to his church members, was born to Winnie and Louis Rowland on December 21, 1933, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. David was married to his high school sweetheart, Norma Shepard Rowland, for 70 years. He was a devoted husband, father, minister, and fan of Baylor University football. David was a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Theological Seminary. He served as a minister with Southern Baptist churches from 1958-2018.

He was the Associate Pastor of First Baptist Church of College Station, Texas for 30 years where he ministered to hundreds of Texas A&M students, faculty, and community members. His ministry spanned from children to senior adults and from church administration to pastoring. He oversaw the building of the church’s current location, directed an annual church-wide program to support the Round Rock Children’s Home, and helped found Discovery, a program that helps international women in Bryan/College Station find community and learn to speak English. He was known as the “Baby Whisperer” because he was often called to the nursery and preschool rooms to calm crying babies and children. He built a youth program that served middle and high school students throughout the community. Many of these former students fondly remember his community wide “Fifth Quarter” coffeehouses after Friday night football games, bus trips to Glorieta and Ridgecrest, and his fun-loving spirit as “THEE Eagle.” He participated in community projects to foster a welcoming environment for students attending Texas A&M University, supporting them through the Baptist Student Union and multi-faith ministry teams and celebrating with them by performing hundreds of “Aggie” weddings. Throughout his 60 years of Christian and community service, he was known for his beautiful first-tenor voice, his willingness to serve, and his kind and gentle spirit.

Brother Rowland will be missed, but his legacy lives on in the thousands of church members, youth, college students, and community leaders and programs he ministered to over his 30 years of service in College Station.

David is survived by his wife, Norma; two daughters, Brenda Sims and husband Bill, of McKinney, Texas, and Melissa McCarroll and husband David, of Midland, Texas; three grandsons, Brandon McCarroll, Patrick Sims, and Matthew McCarroll; and five great grandchildren.

The family thanks the staff of Younger Center at The Village at Manor Park for the love and care they provided to David. We are forever grateful.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to First Baptist Church of College Station, Texas, https://fbccollegestation.com/give or The Village at Manor Park https://manorparkinc.org in the name of Reverend David R. Rowland.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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