L. Dan Rowell

L. Dan Rowell, always known as “Dan,” 86, of Caldwell, passed away on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

“I was born Lloyd Dan Rowell on November 18, 1938, in Tulia, Texas, and I was raised in the Texas Panhandle, Amarillo, Plainview, Lockney, and Aiken, and played sports for the Aiken Crickets. I moved to PV in 2nd grade and attended school there through 12th grade, with the exception of 4th grade in Bend, Oregon, and 9th grade in Lockney.

Following graduation in ’57, I enrolled immediately at West Texas State and worked and went year-round to school until May of 1959. While at WT, I was one of the Officers of EB Fraternity that was responsible for Sigma Nu coming to WT. I am #7 of that Chapter. I spent the summer of ’59 living and working in New Orleans. I lived in the Bourbon Street Apartments at the corner of Bourbon and St. Louis in the Quarter. I received numerous education experiences there!

I joined the U.S. Army in September of 1959, and went to boot camp at Ft. Ord, California. Next, I was sent to schooling in Ft. Gordon, Georgia, where they made me the best-looking telephone operator in the U.S. Army! (Remember the ole “choose not chance” slogan!) I went grom Georgia to Ft. Dix, New Jersey, for transport overseas to Europe. (The U.S. Army gave me luxurious cruises going and coming from Europe where they demonstrated what the inside of a hurricane was like – both trips!)

I spent the next 31 months in Europe, eight in Germany (if you can believe it, hooked up with Boatright several times!) and 23 in France, with trips to Holland, Italy, and Spain. I was Honorably Discharged in August of 1962 in New York, where I picked up my car and toured the states on the way back to Texas.

I went to work for Sherwood Holley and enrolled in Lipperts Court Reporting School, living with my mommy! I left school and went to Oklahoma City for “on the job training” and experience with Doug Briscoe and Steve Meador, which was an experience, and educational!

I was hired by a District Judge in September of 1964, in Caldwell, Idaho. I worked for that Judge for 13 years until he retired. I was hired by his replacement Judge and worked for him for 17 years until he retired and was then hired by his replacement and worked for him until I retired January 1, 1999, when I retired with 35 years of putting up with judges and lawyers as an Official Court Reporter for the State of Idaho (way too long!).

I became heavily involved in the BPOE Organization, Elks, and the Masons, when I came to Idaho. The positions I have held in the Elks are: Exalted Ruler of Caldwell Lodge, District Deputy for the Grand Exalted Ruler, and his Special Representative for Idaho South. I was the Idaho State Elks Association Secretary-Treasurer, the State President, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for three years of a five-year term. I was honored with being chosen to the Idaho State Elks Hall of Honor. I was appointed to the Idaho State Elks Rehabilitation Board of Directors and was a member of the board when the Idaho State Elks built a new 55-million-dollar Rehabilitation Hospital - the only rehabilitation hospital in the Northwest.

I joined the Masons in 1965 and became a 32* Degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of El Korah Shrine in 1969. I joined the York Rite and became a member of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Idaho. I went through the offices and was elected the Illustrious Potentate of El Korah Shrine Temple in 1995.

I was the Director of the Roval Order of Jesters, Boise Court #31, Boise Idaho, in 2002.

I built myself a condo next to the golf course, (I’m on the golf board), and now all I do is chase girls, drink beer, and play golf! What a life! (Just what ya’ll would expect.)”

A memorial service with military honors will be held on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 10:00 am at Flahiff Funeral Chapel, 624 Cleveland Blvd. in Caldwell. (208) 459-0833