OCILLA - James Pearlie "J.P." Rowe, 85, of Ocilla, died Friday, March 13, 2015, at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday at Pinetta Baptist Church in the Pinetta community of Irwin County. The Rev. John Gibbs officiated, and David Hilliard gave the eulogy. Interment followed at the church cemetery. Mr. Rowe was born Feb. 21, 1930 in Berrien County to the late Pearlie Patrick and Lee Merchant Rowe. He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, where he was a point man and a body guard for General James Van Fleet. He was a graduate of the University of Georgia with B.S.A. and M.S. degrees in agronomy and soil chemistry. Mr. Rowe was an associate professor emeritus at ABAC, where he taught for 32 years, retiring in 1991. At ABAC, he was honored with the Carlton Award for Teaching Excellence and served as interim division chairman in the Division of Science, Mathematics and Nursing in 1986. He was a farmer and attended Pinetta Baptist church in the Pinetta community of Irwin County. Survivors include his children, Linda R. Hilliard and husband David of Tifton, Bobby Rowe and wife Carole Anne of Ocilla and Mary Lee R. McDaniel and husband Ferris of Woodstock; and eight grandchildren, Kathleen Hilliard, Anne Lee Hilliard, Chandler Rowe, Landon Rowe, Isabella Rowe, Harrison McDaniel, Luke McDaniel and Jake McDaniel. Mr. Rowe was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 50 years, Jewell Parrish Rowe; and a twin brother, J.C. Rowe. To sign the online registry, go to www.paulkfuneralhome,com. Paulk Funeral Home in Ocilla was in charge of arrangements.