Carl Stuart Rowland, Jr. was born August 13, 1921 in Blum, Texas to Carl Stuart Rowland and Eunice Bellah Rowland. Carl grew up around Blum and was attending the University of Houston, working towards a degree in Engineering when the flying bug struck. He obtained his pilot and instructors license and went to work to work as a Civilian Instructor Pilot training Air Force Pilots destined for WWII. In 1942, he went to work for BRANIFF AIRLINES flying Douglass DC 3's. He has over 10,000 hours flying one of the greatest airplanes made - the DC 3, all over the Continental United States, Central and South America. He was part a pilot team that pioneered the first commercial airline flight routes throughout South America.
Carl worked for Braniff Airlines as a Captain for 39 years, accumulating over 39,000 hours of flight time, flew 39 different kinds of airplanes - from the J3 Cub to the mighty Boeing 747. Ended his career as Chief Pilot for Braniff Airlines flying Boeing 747's to Europe, Asia and Hawaii. He was offered the opportunity to fly the Concorde but turned it down to do right by his family and increase his earnings flying the 747. He always did right by his family. In 2012, Carl was awarded The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, which is the most prestigious award the FAA issues to pilots certified under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 61. This award is named after the Wright Brothers, the first US pilots, to recognize individuals who have exhibited professionalism, skill, and aviation expertise for at least 50 years while piloting aircraft as "Master Pilots".
He married Gloria Claire Richert on September 13, 1947 in Memphis, Tennessee. Gloria was one of a kind (his words) and was his faithful wife and partner for 53 years until her death in 1999. After her death, "Granddaddy" spent the remainder of his years enjoying life on his farm, watching his grandkids grow up, tending his cows and occasionally flying. He flew until he was 88 years old, his last flight being a trip around the patch at Rowland R Airfield - the grass strip he built next to his house.
He died Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at Woodlands Place in Denison, Texas at the age of 96. He was a resident of Whitewright, Texas, a member of Whitewright Masonic Lodge and past Worshipful Master, a member of the Sherman chapter of The Experimental Aircraft Association and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Whitewright.
He is survived by sons, Stuart Rowland (Anne) of Whitewright, Brent Rowland (Kaaren) of Alaska, Keith Rowland (Carolyn) of Georgetown, Craig Rowland (Vickie) of Pueblo, Colorado; grandchildren, Christopher, Amanda, Kathryn, Carl and John; great-grandchildren, Sydney, Drew, Zachary and Brian; and brother, Wayne Limbrugger. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife of 53 years, Gloria.
Memorial Services will be held at 1:00pm, Saturday November 11, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church in Whitewright. Officiating the service will be Rev. Bill McFatridge. Masonic Graveside Services will follow at West Hill Cemetery, Sherman, Texas. He will be inurned alongside his beloved wife. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choosing or to the Whitewright Masonic Lodge or the First Presbyterian Church of Whitewright.