John Rowland
1942-2018
John “Vern” Michael Rowland passed unexpectedly and peacefully on April 22, 2018 surrounded by family and friends at Swedish Hospital, Colorado.
He was born August 11, 1942, in Pangbourne, a small village on River Thames near Reading, in England to Adelaide. His father Harold “Jack” passed just three weeks before he was born. His mother “Adie” passed away when John was 11, and John was taken in by his wonderful sister Molly and her husband Bill and their family. John attended boarding school and then joined the British Army where he served in The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery four years. He was stationed in London and performed mounted artillery ceremonies for the Queen and other dignitaries but also traveled all over the world with this elite show troop. After getting out of the army in 1964, John boarded the USS United States to come to America. Along the way, he befriended a guy who would direct him to a place in Wichita, Kansas, where he would begin a 10-year journey around the US as a trainer of thoroughbred horses that would eventually land him in Colorado.
In Denver in 1974, he started working in residential construction. He worked his way up from laborer to construction manager, and for 44 years, oversaw the building of thousands of homes in the Denver area. He was dedicated to his profession as “builder of dreams” and had an amazing work ethic, working up to the day of his stroke. John never lost his love of horses and continued to own, train, and ride them at every possible opportunity. He went on many horse adventures from his backyard to all over Colorado and the world, with horse trips in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. He loved Colorado and the outdoors. He also loved to travel, and took trips all over the US, and even became a U.S. citizen in 2008. He often traveled back to England to visit Molly, Robin, and all his wonderful family “on the other side of the pond.”
John also met Kay in 1974 and they later married. He is survived by his son Michael Frazzini and daughter-in-law Tami, and three grandchildren, Cathleen, Megan, and Vince, who he loved to spend as much time with as he could. John is also survived by his sister Molly Herman, and brother Robin Rowland. John made so many amazing friends and will always be remembered for his positive outlook, wonderful sense of humor, and love for life and love for all his family and friends.
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Denver Hospice.
Arrangements were handled by Aspen Mortuaries of Colorado. Online condolences may be left at aspenmortuaries.com.