Rowe Clair Jr.

Rowe Byron St. Clair Jr., age 96 died Saturday, April 28, 2012 at the Sweet Life At Grand Court in Leawood, Kansas. Celebration of Life Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at the Epiphany Episcopal Church with the Reverend Kathi Babcock officiating under the direction of the Potts Chapel in Independence, Kansas. The family has suggested memorials to FORPAZ or Back Pack Program of the Kansas Food Bank or the Epiphany Episcopal Church and contributions may be left at the Potts Chapel in Independence, Kansas. Friends may sign the register book from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at the Potts Chapel in Independence, Kansas. Rowe Byron St. Clair Jr., was born April 30, 1915 in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Rowe Byron Sr. and Mary Paxson St. Clair. He grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee and graduated from the LickWilmerding High School. Rowe also attended the University of Chattanooga before graduating from UCLA. Rowe entered the United States Navy and served on the USS San Diego destroyer in the Pacific during World War II. On July 1, 1939 Rowe married the love of his life Patty McGowen in California. The couple moved to Independence, Kansas to raise their four children. After retirement they moved to Grand Lake, Oklahoma. Patty preceded Rowe in death. Rowe worked as a wholesale lumber rep for 60 years. Rowe was the First Fire Chief of Bird Island, Commodore of the Cherokee Yacht Club, originator of the Ridge Road Martini Club, a member of the Epiphany Episcopal Church, the Rotary Club, the Jesters in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the Shriners. Survivors include one son William Paxson St. Clair and wife Jill of Neodesha, Kansas two daughters Mary Louise Gibson and husband Howard of Overland Park, Kansas and Patty Ann Sanborn and husband Gary of Burlington, Kansas eight grandchildren William Paxson St. Clair Jr., Mary Whitney Callan, Jim Gibson, Mandy Shoemaker, William McGowen Sanborn, Bobby Sanborn, Annie Noonan and William Lawson nieces and nephew Judy Tyler, Sue Diekman, John McClure and Nancy Ettlin and 18 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son Rowe Byron St. Clair III grandson Mac Sanborn and one cousin Sarah Hunt.