John Robert Rowan, 64, of Bellingham, passed away Dec. 3, 2008, from natural causes. A celebration will be held to honor his life starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, at Terry and Becky’s Shop, 1815 Midway Lane, Bellingham. Please contact George Johnson at 360-279-2291 for more information.

Johnny, born April 7, 1944, was the only child born to Robert and Anna Christina Rowan of Whitehorse, Yukon, and together the three were members of local society during the latter years of the territory’s silver rush. He survived his mother when he was just four years old, his father when he was 16, and was raised by stepmother Elsie Marie. He attended schools in Whitehorse and Victoria, B.C., before graduating from high school in Tenino, Wash. As a youth, he developed a keen interest in general mechanics, an interest that was fueled by his passion for drag racing, and it became a hobby that was a constant throughout his life.

After receiving his degrees from Western Washington College, John made his home and raised a family in Oak Harbor, where he taught special education for nearly 20 years. He spent his summers as a crewman and eventually captain of the family’s commercial salmon fishing operation in Prince William Sound, Alaska. He looked forward to his annual trips to the north and relished the opportunity to connect with his wealth of friends along the Alaska Highway.

JR retired from teaching in 1996, and from active racing in 2002, after suffering a stroke. He remained a fixture in the Northwest drag racing scene, and maintained old friendships by organizing weekly lunch group gatherings. Ever the teacher, he used these meetings as a forum to share the history of the sport he loved, and he helped nurture its future when he gave his iconic turquoise and white 1955 Chevy racer to good friend Brad Owens.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Kathy and Brett Simpler of Kodiak, Alaska, and their girls Krista and Tosha; son and daughter-in-law Bob and Cassandra Rowan and their boys Cade and Morgan of Washington. The family recognizes that Dad was an integral member of many varied social circles, including the Yukon Pioneers, and wishes to express their deep gratitude for these associations. In particular, they wish to thank Ivan Bauter and Brad Owens of Bellingham, of whom JR held close to his heart; and George Johnson of Oak Harbor, his most excellent and stalwart friend.

Memorial donations can be made to charities of the donor’s choice. Please send any condolences care of Kathy Simpler, P.O. Box 561, Kodiak, Alaska, 99615.

Arrangements were made by Gillies Funeral Home in Lynden.