James Kay Rowland

Memorial Services for James Kay Rowland, 83, Lawrence will be held 10-12 a. m. October 8th 2017 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary

He will be placed in The San Francisco Columbarium, San Francisco, CA.

He passed away Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at Midland Hospice House in Topeka, KS.

James was born January 12, 1934 in Marysville, KS the son of Richard F. and Jean Douglas Rowland.

He lived in San Francisco, CA for 27 years prior to coming to Lawrence.

He received his Bachelors and Masters of Fine Arts at the University of Kansas.

He worked as an assistant salesperson in an Art Gallery, Gump’s in San Francisco and was the chair of Design at The University of Kansas for 20 years until he retired in 1974.

Survivors include his brother, Richard D. Rowland, Cedar Rapids, IA; his nieces, Cynthia Wilson, Durham NC; Wendy Keller, Topeka, KS and nephews Douglas Wilson, Overland Park, KS; Michael Wilson, Wichita, KS. and many grand nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his partner, Donald J. Long in 2000; his sister, Barbara J Wilson in 1997, and nephew William Wilson in 2014.

2 Condolences

  1. Diana Doyle on January 4, 2018 at 11:48 am

    I just learned of Jim’s passing. Many fond memories of Jim while he lived in SF. My mom Edna Doyle is his cousin. I remember his beautiful apartment overlooking SF filled with artwork and many treasures. One time, he asked us all to pick something to keep, and I chose a lovely crystal bud vase from Gumps, which I treasure. I will miss his yearly artsy Christmas card. RIP dearest Jim.

    Diana Doyle, Denver CO



  2. steve mayse, the Charlie Sosland chair in illustration, the kansas city art institute. on February 8, 2018 at 2:06 pm

    i’m a late comer to hearing about Jim’s death. i had stayed in contact with Jim thru the many years since i graduated with an MFA from the KU design dept. in ’79. He kept my work alive during that time with a simple 5 minute (discussion) walk on campus, one day. He said to me (blending together carpentry and illustration) “have you ever thought of using a hammer as a paint brush.” that 5 minutes changed my life, forever.
    i have told this story in australia, the czech republic, argentina, nyc, a number of colleges/universities across the country and any other place that i lectured, as evidence of his keen observation and helpfulness. I gave him an art piece of that quote of his, as a gift (2005?), and we were both very much touched by the significance of that earlier moment while in school and the longevity of “the story.” he had helped me develop as an independent artist for many years and now as a professor. i will miss his presence, but always remember him as a gentle, kind and sincere person. wow, what a difference he managed to make with his life.



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