Gregory Lynn Rowlett

Gregory Lynn Rowlett, age 74, died March 16, 2025 at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Grand Junction, Colorado following a brief illness.

Greg, as he was known to family and friends, was born May 12, 1950 in Rapid City, South Dakota. He was the son of the late Jesse Leo Rowlett, a World War II fighter pilot, and Patsy Corin (Jones) Rowlett. Greg graduated from Walter E. Stebbins High School, Riverside, Ohio in 1968. Recruited by Coach Woody Hays, Ohio State coach, as an all-state linebacker, Greg opted to join the Marine Corps to fulfill his military obligation first. A Hollywood Marine, Greg was in the Thundering Third of the First Division where he was trained as a Scout/Sniper team member. He was blown up, bayoneted, and shot during his second tour but survived those grievous wounds.

After recovering from his wounds, Greg attended the University of Oklahoma. He tried out for the OU football team but his wounds were too serious to allow participation. He joined the Beta Kappa Chapter of Sigma Chi in Norman and always remained a devoted Sigma Chi. At OU, Greg earned both his B.A. and M.A. in his history, the latter while working as a graduate assistant. After his graduation from OU, Greg pursued a career as an historical archaeologist with the Fish and Wildlife Service and conducted research in some of the remotest areas of our American West; an example of this was his extended research on the Lewis and Clark Expedition Trail in remote areas of Montana and Idaho.

After his retirement from the Fish & Wildlife Service, Greg enjoyed target practice at the Orchard Mesa Gun Club, reading, college football, visiting with friends and veteran groups, and daily walks with Harper, his faithful companion and wonderful Afghan hound.

Greg was preceded in death by his brothers, Larry Rowlett and Mark Rowlett.

Greg is survived by his nieces and nephew, Lara, Julia, Matthew, and Courtney, and his sisters-in-law, Susan and Dayna. He also leaves behind many cousins, family members and loving friends and neighbors who will miss him dearly.

A date has not yet been set for a memorial service but will be posted once it has.