JONESBORO — Dr. James Edward Rowe,

M.D. of Tumbling Shoals, Ark., passed from this life on Wednesday April 2, 2024, at the age of 89, after a brief struggle with recurrent cancer.

James was born August 17, 1934, in Leachville, Ark., and grew up in Arbyrd, Mo. He married his high school sweetheart, Virginia, the weekend after their graduation in 1953. They moved to St Louis to work to save money for college, and then moved to Jonesboro, Ark., where they both attended Arkansas State University. James was accepted to medical school after only three years of college, and the couple moved to Little Rock, Ark., so he could attend UAMS, where he graduated with his Medical Degree in 1964. He did his internship at St Vincent’s Hospital in Little Rock, then moved to McCrory, Ark., where he practiced medicine for 25 years before retiring to his lake house on Greer’s Ferry Lake.

James is preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Virginia Franks Rowe; his parents, Fen and Maudie Rowe, of Arbyd, Mo.; a brother, Luther Rowe, of Heber Springs, Ark.; and a sister, Linda Rowe Sparks, of Paragould, Ark. He is survived by his devoted daughter, Tammy Rowe McClurkan, and loving son-in-law, Michael B. McClurkan, M.D., of Jonesboro, Ark.; his two grandsons: Connor Rowe (Kathryn) McClurkan, of Jonesboro, Ark., Clancy Rowe McClurkan, of Dallas, Texas; and great-grandaughter, Anna Rowe McClurkan, of Jonesboro. James’ world revolved around his children, grandsons, and great-granddaughter, to whom he was an exceptional role model, counselor, and most importantly, a true friend. He will be sorely missed by our family who looked to him for love and guidance every day.

A Memorial visitation will be held at Olmstead Funeral, 601 W. Main St., in Heber Springs, on Friday April 12, at 1 p.m. followed by a service at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be made to the Ben E. Owens Cancer Center, at St. Bernard’s Medical Center, in Jonesboro, Ark.