Richard Rowland Jr.

Azaryah Yisrael (Richard "RJ" Lee Rowland, Jr.), 38, passionate follower of Yahweh, beloved husband, father and musician, passed away in Kansas City, Missouri on Saturday, October 23, 2021. He was born on November 8, 1982 in Houston, Texas to Richard Lee Rowland Sr. and Claudette Craft Rowland. As a military baby, he grew up in Gulfport, Mississippi, Dayton, Ohio, and finally resided in Kansas City, Missouri. He attended Hickman Mills High School and subsequently graduated from Normandy Technical High School in St. Louis, Missouri where he received trades in HVAC, Electrician, and Construction.

He most recently attended Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, Missouri, working towards completing the Paralegal Meritus program followed by a degree in Psychology at UMKC. He ultimately desired to attend graduate school and complete his requirements to become an attorney at law. He is also a member of The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS).

Throughout his lifetime, he worked various jobs, holding multiple positions such as Perry Framing as a Carpenter, ADT as an Security Electrician, City of Kansas City in the tax department, and for Dr. Carruthers' Dermatologist office as an office administrator. He worked at Rent-A-Center as an Assistant Manager Loan Specialist and with hard work and dedication, within a year he became the branch Manager of the store for over two years. He later began working at the Department of the Treasury as a Contact Service Representative for over 7 years. He also became a Union Steward which later incited even more passion for him to become a lawyer. He also was able to retire from the Service and open up his own musical education office, studio, and sound engineering, I Am Music Education L.L.C., as an educator and instructor.

Azaryah, also known as 1N2L3CT, was a dedicated and consistent musician/coordinator with 25 years of real-time experience. He has played in churches and with gospel groups since he was 11 years old. Although most of his experience was  in  the  gospel  genre,  he  worked  with bands of various genres ranging from funk/soul to Indie Rock. He underwent 9 years of formal training (3rd-12th) as well as some conservatory and private training from some of the most notable instructors such as Chris Clarke, his cousin Bryan Alford, Andrew Ward, Quinton Donley, and his father Richard L. Rowland, Sr., etc. He was proficient in music theory from school and personal learning so comprehension and composition were acquired skills. He had a sharp ear, learned quickly, knew how to play over 13 instruments where the saxophone, keyboard, and drums were his favorite, and also his timing was precise. With his knowledge of and passion for music he always strived to bring an element of professionalism and experience to the table that was and still remains beyond all expectations.

He was passionate about community outreach and civic involvement including engaging in volunteer handyman electrical work for the Salvation Army Women’s Shelter. He was an avid Playstation enthusiast extraordinaire, especially in Madden and NBA 2K, he loved basketball and was amazing at playing physical ball. He was a certified volunteer tax preparer for VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), a CFC canvasser, Union member, and he later became an outstanding Union Steward. He was well known for his information technology skills (IT) and often considered becoming an IT specialist. He was also a certified insurance sales agent for Primerica and was trilingual in Hebrew, Spanish, and ASL (American Sign Language). He was very family oriented and followed the mission of our nation. Praise Yahweh Ben Yahweh! One God, One Mind, One Love, and One Action!

He married Barra Yisrael (Barbara Rowland) on October 29, 2004 in Kansas City, Missouri. They were happily married 17 years at present. He was preceded in death by his child, Judah Azaryah Yisrael; maternal great-grandparents, Corene Prior Acker, & Lolo Acker; maternal grandparents, Willie Craft, and Mary Francis Craft; and paternal great-grandparents, Charlotte Derrick, and Savannah Derrick.

He is survived by his loving spouse, Barra Yisrael (Barbara Rowland), children Barra Rebecca (Barbara), Leviyah (LeeAnn), Miykayah, Miykael, Samson, one more bun in the oven, and little dog Emma too. He is also survived by his parents, Richard L. Rowland, Sr. (Leaha Rowland), Claudette Rowland; siblings, Quinton Rowland, and Shanissa Rowland; mother-in-law, Rebecca Thomas; brother-in-law, Alexander Wren Sr.;  sisters-in-law, Little Wren, Sheila Thomas, Akilah Pulluiam, and Rochelle Thomas; nephews, DeNoble Byrd IV, Lil Ronnie Pulluaim, Dalin Pulluaim, Niterie McFarlane, Tylee Pulluaim, Alexander Wren Jr., Quarry McFarlane, Akeem Wren, and Azekiel Wren; niece, Jade McFarlane; cousins, Julius Rowland, Tina Gaston (Rowland), Eddie Rowland III, Adrian Rowland, Justin Rowland, Brandi Barnes (Teron Barnes), Andrew Jackson, and Amara McMillan; and a host of other relatives and friends.