Funeral Services for James Powell Rowlett, Age 55 of Salem, Arkansas will be held on Friday, December 5th, 2025 at The Barker Funeral Home, Salem, Arkansas, beginning at 2PM. Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 1 PM. Internment will be in The Fairview Cemetry, Salem, Arkansas.
Brigadier General (Ret.) James Paul “P-Row” Rowlett, 55, of Salem, Arkansas, passed away on November 29, 2025, on his way to complete one last mission in a lifetime defined by heroism, service, and selflessness. A devoted husband, father, son, brother, mentor, and patriot, Paul was admired for his brilliance, integrity, and unwavering commitment to the nation he served with distinction.
Born in Salem on August 3, 1970, Paul was guided throughout his life by a deep sense of compassion and purpose. Those qualities shaped a remarkable military and civilian career and left an enduring impact on all who knew him.
Paul was a larger-than-life presence whose energy, grit, and love for adventure defined every chapter of his life. A devoted endurance athlete, he tackled Ironmans, marathons, and any challenge that demanded heart and grit. When he wasn’t pushing his limits, he found peace in the quiet of fishing trips and cherished the tradition of hunting with friends and family. Above all, he was a devoted father and husband who enjoyed making meaningful memories with his wife and children, creating spontaneous adventures and boundless joy. A self proclaimed “introvert,” a label that sparked laughter in his loved ones because his life told a different story—one filled with meaningful connections and the deep bonds he formed with those around him. He leaves behind a circle of people forever changed by his presence and his influence will endure for generations.
If you knew him as Brig. Gen. Rowlett, you knew a true professional. His humble leadership and laser focus were matched by a formidable intellect, especially in intelligence and psychological operations. In his civilian work with the Department of Justice, that same steadiness and meticulous attention to detail helped secure justice in difficult cases. He was unshakable, even when the odds were long.
If you knew him as P-Row, you also knew an athlete, a friend to everyone he met, and a man who loved fiercely. He never missed a chance to send the occasional trash-talk text about Razorback sports if Arkansas was playing your team, and he never let you live it down if the Hogs came out on top. To his family, friends, and colleagues, he was a hero in every sense of the word. He invested professionally and personally in those he cared about, and our lives are better for it.
A 1993 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Paul began his career as an Intelligence Officer after completing Intelligence Technical Training at Goodfellow Air Force Base. He served at Moody AFB, Hurlburt Field, and later with the Arkansas Air National Guard.
From 2001 to 2023, Brig. Gen. Rowlett held key leadership roles in the Arkansas ANG, including Director of Operations and Commander of the 123rd Intelligence Squadron; Director of Intelligence (J2) for the Arkansas National Guard; and ultimately Chief of Staff of the Arkansas ANG. In these positions, he guided strategic planning, supported global ISR missions, strengthened cyber and space operations, and oversaw major personnel and readiness initiatives.
Paul deployed on several occasions to serve his country. He retired honorably in January 2023, concluding a distinguished career marked by exceptional leadership, courage, and devotion to the mission.
His civilian service reflected the same principles. Paul worked as an Intelligence Specialist with the U.S. Department of Justice, during which time he provided invaluable work on multiple high-profile cases such as the Jessica Chambers and Ally Kostial murder cases. He shaped future generations by serving as an Admissions Liaison Officer for the U.S. Air Force Academy—an assignment he cherished.
Paul’s work at SOFPREP (Special Operations Forces Planning, Rehearsal, Execution and Preparation) further defined him as a visionary whose contributions transformed how Special Operations Forces (SOF) prepared for missions. Paul brought both precision and personality to the mission, even naming each HPC after his beloved Arkansas teams: Razorback, Pig, Boar, Hog, and SOW.
Paul met Marisa, the love of his life, while serving in San Antonio, Texas. They got married and moved to the Florida panhandle and were living the absolute dream in a tight-knit community on the beach where he made it clear to everyone that they were welcome to come and relax at any time.
He is survived by his wife, Marisa Danielle Cubriel Rowlett; his children, Rachel Lauren Rowlett, Daniel Jackson Rowlett, and bonus son Jackson Wayne Darr, all of Dallas, Texas; his parents, Frank (Kim) Rowlett of Salem and Polli Bibbs of Trumann; his siblings Cindi (David) Carter of Bay, Amanda (Steve) Digiovanna of Benton, Jessica (Scott) Fox of Benton, Melissa (Tim) Nickels of Salem, Jeff Nickels of Salem, and John (Kelly) Rowlett of Greenland; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins who loved him dearly.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John D. and Viola Texas Bottoms Rowlett and Darrel and Johnnie Faye Reese; his stepfather, Dale Bibbs; and his uncle, John Rowlett.
Pallbearers will be Jackson Darr, Matt Moore, Brad Parrish, Greg Johnson, Jay Hale, Bart Sutherland, Scott Meadows, and Ben Bondi.
Visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m., with funeral services following at 2:00 p.m., at Barker Funeral Home in Salem, Arkansas. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery on Whippoorwill Road in Salem.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or The Arkansas National Guard Foundation.
Brig. Gen. (Ret.) James Paul Rowlett lived a life of courage, service, and profound honor. His legacy endures in those he led, the missions he shaped, and the countless lives he brightened. He will forever be remembered by his friends literally all over the world as a brilliant leader, a loving family man, and an American hero.
