Coach Earl Wayne Rowan, long-time resident of Cleveland, Tennessee, went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Wednesday, March 19, 2025. He passed peacefully at home with his wife, Kathy, by his side. He was born in Nashville, Georgia on June 28, 1944, to Ralph and Alene Rowan. Earl was extremely proud of his farm background and the emphasis his dad and mom placed on church, family, and community service. After graduating from Berrien High School, Nashville, Georgia, Earl moved to Cleveland, Tennessee and attended Lee College. Upon graduation, he remained in Cleveland where he taught, coached, and became totally immersed in sports, sports broadcasting, and community activities within the Cleveland and Bradley County area for over fifty years. His passion was teaching and coaching young people in hopes that they would continue his legacy of learning, love for life, and dedication to God, family, church, and community. A quote he used often was, "Be a happy camper." This quote spilled over into his daily life and would be contagious to those around him. Throughout his life and career in Bradley County, Earl became known as, "Mr. Bradley, the Voice of Bradley County, Mr. Enthusiasm!" Earl taught at East Cleveland School and served for sixteen years as the Master of Ceremonies for their reunions. He wanted to be a positive influence in the lives of those around him. He volunteered for United Way and served as Master of Ceremonies for numerous events. He was a Radio Sports Broadcaster for WBAC / WCLE from 1966 - 2024. Earl was a guest speaker for churches, civic clubs, and Bradley County Hall of Fame dinners. In 1981 he was honored to speak at the Berrien County High School Honors Banquet. This was special, as it was his Alma Mater in Nashville, Georgia. He was the baccalaureate speaker for Bradley High School Seniors in 2006 and 2008. While fulfilling his calling to teach, Rowan became an iconic figure on the local sports scene - helping to start the area's first tee-ball leagues and assisting on the construction of the Cleveland Community Center while working with the late Ralph Rymer for the county recreation department. It was while he was a student at Lee, a nearly 60-year radio broadcasting career started when legendary "Voice of Bradley County" Corky Whitlock invited him to help with Bradley Bear football broadcasts. The duo worked together until Whitlock's retirement in 2014, with Rowan continuing as the color commentator for Gary Ownbey until the 2024/2025 football season.

Earl taught and coached at East Cleveland Elementary School for eight years and his teams won five county championships and two runner-up trophies. Rowan returned to Lee in 1975, as an assistant coach for Dale Hughes. He later became head basketball coach and the school's athletic director from 1978-1982. During this time frame, he started Vikings baseball and cross-country programs and earned his master's degree from Middle Tennessee State University. Rowan also spent several years during the 1970s helping Steve Benton coach the local Hawks 13-14 year-old Dixie Boys baseball team, which won five state titles in six years. He also served as a local baseball umpire from 1967-2009, calling everything from the youngest little leagues to TSSAA State Championships.

Married in 1985 to Dr. Kathy Shankle-Rowan, she too was an educator, serving 34 years in various positions in the Cleveland City Schools. Both shared a love for the Lord, education, sports, and traveling. The couple was also very involved in the outreach ministry at North Cleveland Church of God.

Some of his honors and awards include receiving the BCHS Building Level Teacher of the Year three times, and the Bradley County Schools Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2010. He was named by Chattanooga City Scope Magazine as one of Southeast TN and NW Georgia Inspirational Educators. He was also selected by the TN State Athletic Directors Association for the "Distinguished Service Award". Earl received the Tri-State Chattanooga Times High School Coach of the Year in both 1989 and 1995. He achieved four Hall of Fame Distinctions. They were awarded to him by Lee University Athletics, Bradley Central High School Basketball, Cleveland / Bradley County Old Timers, and the Bradley Central High School Hall of Fame. Whether in the classroom, on the baseball field or around the basketball court, or at church, Rowan's impact on the Bradley County community cannot be fully measured, but without a doubt is felt and appreciated by the thousands of lives he has touched in such a positive way.

Earl was preceded in death by his mom, dad, and brothers-in-law Mack Luke, Randall Carlton and Roger Johnson. He is survived by his wife Kathy of 39 years, his brother Linwood (Melanie), sisters Cheryl Luke, Lydia Carlton, and Wannie Chafin (Glen), and sister-in-law, Cynthia Johnson. He has numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. A Remembrance of Life service will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 3:00 P.M. at Riverside Missionary Baptist Church. There will be a gathering for family and friends at the church one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Berrien County Fellowship of Christian Athletes by contacting Keith Powell at (229) 300 - 9281.