Leon Anthony Rowland

On Tuesday, August 23, after a valiant fight with lung cancer, Leon Anthony Rowland - better known as “Papa Lee“ of Charleston passed away with his loving family and animals by his side. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Leon A. Rowland are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM, Monday, August 28, 2017, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. The family will receive friends in the church beginning one hour prior to the Mass. Interment to follow. Afterwards, there will be a reception at the Parish Life Center.  Leon was born on November 16, 1941, in Charleston, the son of the late Carl J. Rowland and Gertrude Kanapaux Rowland. He attended elementary school at Sacred Heart Catholic and was a graduate of Bishop England High School and the Baptist College. He proudly served his country as a member of the US Airforce and had a vibrant career managing lumber companies in the Southeast before founding Rowland Janitorial Services. Up until his diagnosis, he served as a Quality Control Specialist for Honeywell. Papa Lee would give the shirt off his back for anyone and was always the life of the party. A true Charlestonian, he grew up playing on Mitchell playground and loved shag dancing, crabbing, and a cold beverage. If he was not on the beach or painting one of his latest masterpieces, he was imparting words of wisdom - most of which cannot be repeated here. He was unforgettable in every way - there was only one Papa Lee and he will be forever missed but never forgotten. His family was the most important thing to him and he spent the final two years of his life being taken care of by his devoted daughter Kay with the help of his five grandchildren Zack, Creedence, Miles, Forrest, Cullen and his dear friends Rob and Matt. His best friends and furry companions, Ozzie and Lou were always by his side. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Margaret Patricia Rowland; daughter, Kay Frances Coleman and Bonnie Ann Murphy; his grandchildren, Zachary Bagwell (Kaleigh), Creedence Bagwell Rossi (Matt), Miles Bagwell, Forrest Bagwell, Cullen Bagwell, Paul Michael Moffett, Linzy Greene, Hailey Buckner, Caiden Buckner, Viet Vu, Vin Vu as well as his brothers, Rev. Msgr. Charles Rowland, Leroy Rowland , Ronald Rowland (Nancy); sister, Eleanor Tolley (Joe); 2 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jacqueline Flynn Rowland; brothers, Christopher L. Rowland, Carl J. Rowland, Jr., James F. Rowland and William Thomas Rowland. A special thank you to Roper Hospice of Charleston; specifically to his loving and caring nurse, Donna McGinnes. In honor of Papa Lee, please raise your glass and toast to his life.