Obituary for Teddy Rowe

Ted Rowe

April 10, 1951 – December 22, 2021

Teddy Ray Rowe, age 70, passed away on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 4:01 am at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center. A Memorial Service to celebrate Ted’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at the Carolyn Renfro Event Center in Ponca City, OK with Mark Busch officiating. Ted will be laid to rest at the Blackwell Cemetery immediately following the memorial service. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave. Ponca City, OK 74601.

Ted was born in Blackwell, OK on April 10, 1951, as the second son to Harrison E. and Francis A. (Moore) Rowe. He was raised in Blackwell and attended Blackwell Public Schools, graduating with the class of 1969. After graduation, Ted served six years from 1970-1975 in the Army National Guard as a field artillery specialist. Following his service to his country, Ted worked on the family farm before moving to California in 1984 to start his career as an ironworker. He completed the Field Ironworkers Apprenticeship & Training Program in 1988 for the states of California, Nevada and Arizona. In the same year, he also received a Certificate of Completion as a Welder within the Apprenticeship and Training Standards of the International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers.

Ted married Sally Lichlyter on August 18, 1988 in Las Vegas, NV and they made their first home in Chino, CA. The couple moved to Bartlesville, OK in 1997 before making their final residence to Ponca City, OK in 1998 where Ted became the Welding Instructor at Pioneer Technology Center until his retirement in December 2019. He truly loved teaching and later furthered his own education by receiving his bachelor’s degree in Trade & Industry from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2012. He was the owner/operator of Rowe Inspections and enjoyed working with students and customers alike.

Ted always had a smile on his face and a toothpick in the side of his mouth. He never met a stranger and always had a handshake or hug to give. He was an Oklahoma Sooners Football fanatic, but above all he valued his family and close friends. Ted was a friend of Bill W. and recently would have celebrated 37 years.

Ted met Lynsey Zeman in 2020. She came into his life at the right moment of time and he truly cherished her and their relationship.

Ted was a member of the American Welding Society, International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Union, Kay County Cattlemen’s Association where he served a term as President and the Oklahoma Education Association.

Survivors include four sons, Corey Rowe of Blackwell, OK, Travis (Susan) Rowe of Blue Ridge, TX, Sonny (Jenifer) Rowe of Yukon, OK and Justin (Rita) Rowe of Concrete, WA; fifteen grandchildren, Madison Rowe, Blade Rowe, Royce Rowe, Alexandria Rowe, Gavin (Ashlee) Rowe, Carson Rowe, Nicholas Rowe, Brian (Jessica) Provost, David (Melanie) Provost, Timothy (Kaila) Provost, Cooper Rowe, Lorelei Rowe, Krissandra (Matthew) Dezarn, Tyler Labrousse, Morgan Rowe; thirteen great-grandchildren, Seth Cox, Jett Rowe, Elizabeth Rowe, Ava Rowe, Hunter Rowe, Kale Provost, Sage Provost, Aurora Provost, Scarlett Provost, Lillie Provost, Ellie Provost, Emellia Provost, Griffin Dezarn; as well as, many cousins, nieces, nephews and good friends.

Ted is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Charles Rowe and Danny Rowe, wife Sally Rowe and nephew Trent Rowe.

Memorial contributions in Ted’s name may be made to the Pioneer Technology Center Foundation, 2101 North Ash, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home