Justin Rowe Obituary

Justin Andrew Rowe, known to everyone as Andy - and affectionately nicknamed Pokey for the unhurried pace he carried through life - passed away on April 1, 2025, at the age of 41. He was born at the Eisenhower Army Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, on February 22, 1984 to Cynthia Dickert and John Rowe, and spent most of his life rooted in the South, working with his hands and living life on his own terms.
Andy was quiet, independent, and never one to rush. He had a way of connecting with people from all walks of life, no matter their background. As a child, Andy had a curious mind and a gift for figuring out how things worked. Every summer from the age of 4 to 11, he and his siblings spent time in Maryland with extended family - a period he truly cherished. It was during these summers that Andy formed lasting bonds and began to show a natural talent for engines and mechanics, much like his late uncle, Lenny. His aunt, Brenda, seemed tuned into what made him tick and encouraged his curiosity by providing thought provoking puzzle toys such as the Rubik's Cube that he seemed to understand how to solve almost immediately. He took these passions he learned early in life and turned them into a career working with his hands in construction, eventually running his own business.
In his adult life, Andy loved fishing, golfing, mudding, going on vacation, and spending time with family, his pets, and especially his son, Gavin. He never hesitated to help those he cared about, often taking on extra work, costs, or simply offering his time and knowledge. He spoke softly - not from shyness, but because he valued privacy in a noisy world. He didn't waste words, didn't care for small talk, and only shared what he felt was necessary. Though he was quiet, his ride never was. Andy loved music, and he made sure every vehicle he drove had a sound system that let him enjoy it the way it was meant to be heard.
In 2021, Andy suffered an injury that limited his mobility and ultimately changed the course of his life. A proud man, the injury affected more than just his body - it deeply wounded his spirit. He could no longer do the things he loved, couldn't maintain the business he had built, and became self-conscious about being seen in public, especially by people he knew. He began to withdraw, even from those closest to him.
Many people - family and friends - reached out to offer support, love, and connection during his final years, but Andy struggled to accept help. He had always been self-reliant, and asking for help simply wasn't in his nature. As his condition worsened, so did his pain, and with it, a growing sense of isolation. Still, his loved ones never stopped trying, even when their calls went to voicemail and their messages were left unanswered. Andy's pride, perhaps his greatest strength and deepest challenge, often blinded him to the love that continued to surround him.
Andy is survived by his son, Gavin Parker Rowe; his mother, Cynthia Dickert; his stepfather, Timothy Dickert; his siblings, Crystal (Marcus) Ware and Brandon (Jordan) Rowe; his niece and goddaughter, Tiffani Rowe; his niece, Elayna Rowe; his nephews, Winston Whittle and Lucas Rowe; two great-nieces; and many other family members and close friends.
Andy didn't have an easy life, but he lived it in a way that was undeniably his. He was quiet but not weak, stubborn but not heartless, and while he may have felt like he had nothing left to give, those who knew him will never forget how much he gave simply by being himself. His loss leaves a space that can't be filled, but his memory - strong, soft-spoken, and unshakably Andy - will live on in the hearts of those who loved him.
The family welcomes all of Andy's friends and loved ones to join them for a celebration of his life. A memorial service will be held on June 21, 2025, at 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church-Burnettown, 303 Walker St, Warrenville, SC 29851. Pastor Rick West will officiate.
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