Ferris R. Rowe, Jr.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mr. Ferris Richard Rowe, Jr., age 76, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. He was a friend, a brother, a mentor, and a true adventurer. 

Born on September 27, 1948, in Battle Creek, Michigan, to Ferris, Sr. & Hilda (Smith) Rowe, he was a wild child who loved to socialize and was always ready to lend a hand to someone in need. 

He served his country in the Army during Vietnam, overcame immense physical setbacks, retired from service as a disabled veteran, and despite that still raced snow machines, rode horses, and never took "No" for an answer. 

He married Gloria Fox on October 17, 1970, and together, during 54 years of marriage, they raised two daughters.

For most of his life, he worked in the skilled trades and built and repaired machinery and, in retirement, revisited his love of beautiful machines with a treasured Harley Davidson. Taking bike rides, visiting blessing rallies, and fishing with friends were his favorite pastimes.

Ferris’ legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched. He is survived by his wife, Gloria; daughters Crista and Cara; sister Beverly (Larry) Stratton; brother Ernest Rowe, sister in law Catherine (Eugene) Rowe and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and beloved friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ferris Sr; his mother, Hilda Irene Smith, brother Eugene Rowe, and numerous close friends.

In honor of Ferris’ spirit, we invite you to celebrate his life in the way he would have wanted—by helping a friend, going for a ride, or casting a line into the water, finding peace in the moments he loved most.

Ride free, Ferris. You will be deeply missed and never forgotten.

A memorial luncheon will be held on Saturday, March 1, from 12pm-3:30pm, at the Vassar Bullard Sanford Memorial Library event room. 

A limited seating military burial will be held in Holly, MI. The date for that is yet to be announced, and an rsvp will be required for attendance.

Kindly share a memory with Ferris’ family in the guestbook below.

Ferris and his family are in the care of Hanlin Funeral Home - Vassar. 1148 W. Saginaw Rd. Phone (989) 823-8621.

Hanlin Funeral Homes ~ Serving Since 1928 ~ Millington & Vassar