James Marvin Rowe, IV

1. James Marvin Rowe IV, age 48, born August 31, 1977, passed away on April 20, 2026.
2. James Marvin Rowe IV, more commonly known as Jay Rowe, walked to a different beat
3. in life than most—leaving a lasting impression on all who knew him. He had a rare
4. ability to connect with people from all walks of life, from kings to the less fortunate. Jay
5. saw the goodness in everyone and treated all with the same respect and love.
6. Hardworking, poetic, compassionate, loyal, genuine, principled, aspiring, unique, and a
7. romantic—these are just a few words that describe the man he was.
8. 
   
9. Jay grew up on a farm in Vincent, Alabama, alongside his three sisters, Kimber, Crystal,
10. and Lori, and his parents, Marvin and Tina. He later met his wife, Shelbi, and together
11. they began building a life and family.
12. Shortly after, Jay began his career in the maritime industry, where he would spend over
13. two decades building an impressive and respected legacy. From 2001 to 2007, he
14. worked at the Navy base in Panama City alongside his father, serving aboard multiple
15. vessels as an Engineer and Chief Engineer, including the research vessel Athenas, dive
16. vessels Neptune and Poseidon, and the high-speed experimental craft Sea Fighter.
17. From 2007 to 2009, Jay served as Chief Engineer with Crosby Tugs aboard an offshore
18. rig-moving tug. From 2009 to 2011, he worked as Chief Engineer for Crowley Maritime
19. Corporation aboard the ATB Resolve, an integrated chemical tanker. From 2011 to
20. 2012, he worked for Noble Drilling Services as Second Engineer and First Engineer

aboard the drillship Noble Discoverer.

1. From 2012 to 2018, Jay served as a Port Engineer in Kwajalein Atoll, where he oversaw
2. 16 Army vessels and managed over 100 personnel. During this time, he also had the
3. opportunity to work again alongside his father aboard the USAV Worthy. He was
4. responsible for multi-million-dollar vessel repair projects, representing vessel owners in
5. shipyards, developing safety programs, and managing marina and facility repairs.
6. From 2018 to 2023, Jay worked for Weeks Marine as Chief Engineer aboard the vessel
7. B.E. Lindholm. In 2023, he transitioned into a Technical Associate role, overseeing the
8. construction of the hopper dredge R.B. Weeks. That same year, Jay pursued his own
9. business specializing in electrical and mechanical services for private and commercial
10. vessels, something he had passionately done as a hobby for over a decade.
11. 
    
12. Jay built a fulfilled and distinguished 22-year career in the maritime industry, earning his
13. Unlimited Chief Engineer’s license, a 100-ton Captain’s license, and an associate’s
14. degree in business.
15. More important than his impressive career, Jay was a devoted husband and father.
16.  
17. He is survived by his wife, Shelbi Rowe, and his three children, James Caleb Rowe,
18. Samuel Taylor Rowe, and Molli Pete Rowe, who will carry forward his legacy, teachings,
19. strength, and spirit. Jay was a man who cared deeply for many, but nothing in this world
20. meant more to him than his children.
21. 
    
22. Though life can be far too short, Jay lived it fully and on his own terms. He was a man
23. who wanted the world for his children—to give them more, to see them go further—and
24. that dream will live on through them. His legacy is not only in what he accomplished, but
25. in the lives, he shaped around him.

1. Fair winds and following seas,
2. may forever you feel, upon your cheek, the salty breeze.
3. Your spirit lives on in many a heart,
4. your words captured, and never to depart.
5. May your loved ones have the comfort in knowing,
6. to heaven is where you are going.
7. For all that they have to do is look above,
8. and they will be reminded of your love.