Gary “Big Daddy” Rowland, 60, a resident of Cleveland, passed away Thursday, June 24, 2010, at the family residence.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Rowland.

For 25 years, he owned and operated Rowland Business Machines. He loved to play softball and quail hunt with his beloved bird dogs. He loved horses and was an expert horseman. He enjoyed all outdoor activities and the morning coffee meetings at Hardee’s in Calhoun.

He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the United States Army in Vietnam. He was a member of the American Legion Post 81 in Cleveland and the AmVets in Decatur.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy Price Rowland of Cleveland; daughter: Shonda Price Hensley and her husband, Rob, of Knoxville; two sons: Eric Rowland and his wife, Keisha, of Sweetwater and Tim Price and his wife, Rhonda, of Cleveland; five grandchildren: Hannah Price, Jordan Hensley, Thomas Goad, Culton Hensley, Harrison Price and soon to be born grandchild, Erika Gail Rowland; mother and stepfather: Lula Rowland Vincent and Jessie Vincent of Athens; two sisters: Patsy Dye and her husband, Roy, of Chattanooga and Sandy Tallant and her husband, Alvin, of Ten Mile; three brothers: Ray Rowland and his wife, Connie, of Calhoun, Rusty Rowland and his wife, Kathy, of Georgetown, and Roger Rowland and his wife, Barbara, of Decatu; four sisters-in-law: Dot Culton and her husband, Dan, Betty Smith, Maxine Jones and her husband, Gary, and special sister-in-law Carolyn Bean; three brothers-in-law: Tommy Bean and his wife, Helen, George Bean and his wife, Veneda, and Joe Bean and his wife, Kathy; several nieces and nephews; and all the special neighborhood children.

The Remembrance of Life service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, June 28, 2010, at the North Ocoee Chapel of Jim Rush Funeral Homes. Interment will follow in the Sunset Memorial Gardens with military honors.

The family will receive friends today from 4 until 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Building Fund at the American Legion Post 81, 227 James Asbury Drive N.W., Cleveland, TN 37312.

View and sign the register book online at www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com.