Paul was born March 28, 1929 in Paducah to Ralph Glenn Rowton Sr. and Katherine Annette (Browder) Rowton. Paul was a 1947 graduate of Augusta Tilghman High School. Paul’s early working career began with Rowton TV and Sound Corporation in Paducah, where he worked alongside his family in sales and repair in the early days of television and eventually traveled throughout the United States, installing audio sound systems at major venues. He and Shirley Jean Triplett Rowton were married May 31, 1958. As Paul’s career took various paths through sales, it was in the 1970’s, that he was able to spend his working hours with the second love of his life, the game of tennis. Introduced to the game in the late 40’s, Paul studied and played the game as often as possible, won countless amateur tournaments throughout Kentucky, the South and nation before becoming a USTA teaching professional. In 1972, he was hired as the first tennis pro at Paducah Country Club, where he gave lessons and ran a tennis pro shop. In 1985, he installed a court in his backyard, where he gave lessons. He continued at a new location in 2003 when he and his son Nathan opened the Paul Rowton Indoor Tennis Center.
On the court, he was known as “Coach Paul”, although to his family, he was “Grandad Tennis”. He taught the game he loved to thousands of children and adults over a nearly half century career. Several of his students not only won at regional and state levels, but went to college on scholarships earned for tennis excellence. It was much of his influence that has helped tennis grow in popularity in this region and become what it is today.
He is survived by loving wife of 60 years, Shirley Jean Triplett Rowton of Paducah; a sister, Mary Smith of Greenville, South Carolina; two sons, David and wife Lisa of Paducah, Nathan and wife Shawn of Paducah; grandchildren, Ethan Pace Rowton, Aleksander Edward Rowton, (Heather) Parker William-Jack Rowton, Davis Jon Patrick Rowton, Mandy ShuMei Rowton, Maggie FuQian Rowton, Roblee Thomas Rowton and a great grandson, Liam James Rowton (arriving in August). Also surviving are multiple nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by an infant brother, Richmond Wesley Rowton; baby sister, Amy Marie Rowton; his parents, and brother, Ralph Glenn Rowton Jr.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah with Andy Clausen officiating. Entombment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 29, 2018 and will resume at 10:00 a.m. until the service hour of 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to: Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Kentucky Chapter 6100 Dutchmans Lane Suite 401 Louisville, KY 40205.
You may leave a message or light a candle at www.milnerandorr.com
