Steven Judson Rowland, 52, of Parsons died at 12:55 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, at his home after fighting a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born Aug. 5, 1959, at Seneca to Jack J. and Virginia (Sourk) Rowland. He moved with his family to Parsons in 1969 and graduated from Parsons High School with the Class of 1977. He enjoyed sports, playing football and wrestling while in school and later was on several softball teams. He loved the outdoors and hunting with his dogs that he had trained. One of his greatest joys was being with his grandchildren and going to their activities. He worked many years for the Katy Railroad and later for the SEK Railroad.

Steve and Tracy Hall were married in Miami, Okla., on July 2, 1979. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include a daughter, Amy Brown and her husband, Micheal, of Parsons; a son, Zachary Rowland and his fiancée, Lakkin Keene, of Parsons; five grandchildren, Tyus Brown, Tatum Brown, Landon Rowland, Stormy Rowland and Tinley Gum, all of Parsons; his father, Jack Rowland of Altamont; his mother, Virginia Cook of Parsons; his maternal grandmother, Mary Sourk of Seneca; a sister, Susan Richards of Houston; a brother, Ted Rowland of Parsons; and two half siblings, Jon and Vicki Rowland; sisters and brothers in-law, Joyce Hall, Marie Harper and Thomas Hall, all of Parsons, Rebecca and Otis Holley and Susan Sharingada of Baltimore, Md., Ruby and Brent Berry of Kansas City, Kan., Robert and Vickie Hall of Joplin; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

The service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Parsons Free Clinic. Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.