Betty, I was so saddened to hear of Larry's passing. My sincere condolences go to you knowing full well how devastating the loss of you partner can be. Our 2 Larry's had a lot in common, Laurel, music, same age. Larry always spoke so well of your husband. Please know that I am thinking of you with heartfelt prayers. Larry was always so full of life and hope and will be so missed.

Message from Mark Barrett

November 8, 2017 7:18 AM

A good man and a great teacher. He was a person that I always thought of when looking back on my experiences in high school. Even though I hadn't seen Larry for over 40 years, I still remember his mentorship and his ability to bring out the best in his students. He will be missed.

Message from Keith Jaszka

November 7, 2017 2:57 PM

I am very sorry for your loss. I played trumpet with Larry in the University of Providence band. He was a good man, genuinely friendly, and a great trumpet player.

Message from Sheila (Nielsen) Kolste

November 5, 2017 4:25 PM

Dear family,
Just a note of sympathy on the passing of your husband, father, grandfather, brother, Mr. Rowton taught a couple of my siblings and 3 of my children at Simms High School. I remember an incident with my brother Shane. I had driven the pep band bus to Fairfield for a basketball game. The students were loaded, and Mr. Rowton asked if everyone was on board. The kids shouted, "Not Shane". Mr. Rowton exited the bus and headed back into the school.. Little did he know that Shane was hiding on the bus. When he returned to the bus Shane popped up. I would have expected him to scold Shane but he laughed at the joke! It certainly speaks to his patience as an educator. When my husband passed a friend sent me this quote, " Grief never ends. But it changes. It is a passage not a stopping place. It is not a sign of weakness or a lack of faith - it is the price of love." May you find comfort in the kindness of friends and the love of family. Those we hold close to our hearts never truly leave us - they live on the love they brought into our lives.

Message from Kristina Denning

November 4, 2017 9:21 PM

To the family of Mr. Rowton,

You have my deep condolences and heartfelt sympathies for the loss of your husband, father, grandfather and brother. Thank you for sharing him with us.

As I read Mr. Rowton’s obituary, I did smile when I saw “untimely.” I can see him crossing the pearly gates into heaven and slamming his hand to his forehead and saying something funny about his life as a music teacher and how his last note was, untimely...and whiz...there goes the baton into the ceiling!

He took a bunch of us wild kids and tried to socialize us with music. As an adult, to reminisce as to how Mr. Rowton did it, I am convinced he was a Musician’s Saint. How did he do it?? I believe his six years in the Marine Corp, must have been his preparation for us. To have listened to us from the first moment we picked up an instrument, blow out our first wonky (and guaranteed squeaky) note, then the following wrong notes, wrong beats...seriously...saint hood. Somehow, by some miracle, he would work us towards being a team. He would actually take us from wonky notes to an actual song! We were proud. He was very proud!

Mr. Rowton took us on plenty of adventures, from the Marching Band at the annual Simms High School (SHS) Homecoming Parade (it was a big deal then) to travel in the SHS Pep Band in the cold (really cold) winter to support the SHS Basketball teams. There was the annual State Music Festivals, but the adventure to top all, was in 1983, when he managed to get us (his band) entered into a Music Festival in Calgary, Alberta, Canada! It was an orchestra setting and a tad bit more formal than what we were used to. I can still remember this moment...the lights were turned down in the auditorium, but the stage lights were bright, hot and on us. I can still remember the silence as we sat perfectly upright in our chairs, our eyes on our leader. We were a team and he knew it. On his conductor’s podium, he looked at all of us, smiled, slowly took a breath, looked down at his music stand, looked up, lifted his arms and started conducting.

Mr. Rowton left us all with good memories and yes, made us laugh a lot! To all the broken conductor batons and to the ceiling tiles that were impaled by batons, your sacrifice for the music was worth it.

Mr. Rowton, you made a difference.

Kristina Denning
Alto Sax
From 4th grade at Fort Shaw to Senior year (SHS) 1983

Message from Cindy Jensen Wight

November 2, 2017 5:11 PM

From 1978-1982 I was his choir accompanist at Simms, and although I was somewhat terrified coming in to this as a 14-year-old, I always felt from him a great deal of support, appreciation, and encouragement. In all my years' experience with music, I still feel those years were the most significant--that's when I learned and progressed the most.

To Larry's family, thank you for sharing him with so many of us over the years. I remember him as warm, talented, funny, and unbelievably patient. I recall him often mentioning his wife and little boy and I'm sorry I never met you. May you be blessed with peace~~

A candle was lit by Joe Robbins on November 1, 2017 9:47 PM

Message from Michele

November 1, 2017 6:40 PM

I had Mr. Rowton for band at Simms High. I had many great memories from band and I am encouraging my kids to be a part of the music program in their school. I saw Mr. Rowton at the end of the John Coulter run near Bozeman in 1998. I got to introduce him to my first baby. He is missed.

A candle was lit by Jody Dusek on November 1, 2017 3:03 PM

Message from John and Nancy Dutchak

November 1, 2017 1:09 PM

We were so sorry to hear about Larry. Three of our four daughters had him as their band teacher at North, and they all absolutely loved him! He was so very patient with all of his middle school students and inspired a love of music in them. All of your family is in our prayers.

Message from Keith Jensen

November 1, 2017 6:28 AM

Mr. Rowton was my favorite teacher when I attended Simms High School from 1972 to 1976. I had him for band my freshman year and for history all four years I was in high school—I think. He was always so kind and considerate to me, and I deeply appreciate that. He inspired me to be both a better student and a better person. He is one of the finest people that I’ve ever been blessed to meet. I send my prayers and thoughts at this tender time for his family. With love and respect. —Keith Jensen

A candle was lit by Julie Rogstad Allen on October 31, 2017 10:39 PM

Message from Julie "Rogstad" Allen

October 31, 2017 10:38 PM

So sorry to hear of Mr Rowton's passing. I was his band student from 1979 through 1983. Band times were so awesome, & I have so many fond memories. Rest In Peace, Mr Rowton! Thanks for being a great teacher in my life. Deepest sympathy to his wife and family.

A candle was lit by Carley Thompson on October 31, 2017 10:21 PM

A candle was lit by Dannelle Dyke on October 31, 2017 8:07 PM

Message from Diedri (Granlie) Durocher

October 31, 2017 3:30 PM

Betty, Jay & Family,

I am so sorry for the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. Larry always had a smile on his face and a joke ready to tell. There are so many different memories over several decades- Larry and my dad going to school in Chicago together, Larry and Dad sanding gym floors, family gatherings at your house and ours, Larry as my music teacher for 8th grade, playing in bands together as adults, seeing him on River’s Edge Trail. I hope you can find comfort knowing that his spirit is still with you and he is smiling down on you from Heaven. Love and prayers, Diedri

Message from Kathy (Rowton Jacks) Robson

October 31, 2017 2:09 PM

I'm so sorry to hear of Larry's passing. I remember him mostly as being so friendly, and always willing to share his love of music with my family who is also quite musical. I remember visiting Dawson and Margaret with my grandparents, Lawton and Agnes, and my parents Walter and Barbara (Rowton) Jacks. Larry would always come by to say hello. I hadn't seen Larry much in recent years, although I do remember seeing Larry and Betty at one of the Rowton-Hill reunions not so long ago. Thoughts and prayers to all of the family, including Mary Ellen. Given his amazing effervescence, I know he will be greatly missed by you all.

Message from Kari Hubbard

October 31, 2017 1:49 PM

Mr Rowton..... I am sorry to hear you passed. You were always a great band teacher and just an all around good leader. You put up with a lot from some of us ! You will greatly be missed :( RIP sir...

Message from Christie Peck Dimke

October 31, 2017 11:07 AM

Prayers to you Betty and Jay. Larry typically wore a smile when I would see him. I know you will miss him.

A candle was lit by Stacey Maphies Obresley on October 31, 2017 8:38 AM

Message from Jim and Norma Sims

October 31, 2017 6:36 AM

May the thought Of Larry running on the Trail always be in our minds. Larry was one of
our City's long lasting running groups. For many years through all types of weather we would pass Larry and his group running some where around town. Don will now have to go by himself. Larry May God Bless You And Welcome You Home!
Jim

Message from Amy Arcand

October 30, 2017 11:38 PM

Mr. Rowton will truly be missed. He had such an infectious smile and impacted so many young minds. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Message from Colleen and Green

October 30, 2017 1:14 PM

When I began my teacher career at Simms High School, Larry and Lefty Wigmore provided me with more laughter to start each day than one can imagine. Larry was a great colleague and gifted music educator. The students at Simms High School were so lucky to have had him as their teacher. He will be missed dearly by so many. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Message from Ivan

October 30, 2017 8:42 AM

Losing a family member or friend is so difficult. We can find comfort from our merciful god Jehovah and the beautiful hope of the resurrection that he has given us, and a time when death will be a thing of the past. We find this hope at 1 Corinthians 15:55 where it says “death where is your victory.. death where is your sting” The bible has many promises like this that give us hope of a much better life. I hope that you can find a measure of comfort from the hope found in the bible.

Message from Mary and David Rogstad.

October 29, 2017 10:41 AM

Sure sorry to hear about Larry. Our three children had him for their music teacher at Simms.

A candle was lit by Alisha Miller on October 28, 2017 9:30 PM

A candle was lit by The Weyhrauch family on October 27, 2017 6:58 PM