Derwood Rowell

Derwood Rowell, a faithful servant of his Lord, passed away on May 12, 2026, in Fort Worth. Born November 14, 1936, in Wortham, Texas, to the late George Arthur and Thelma Louellen Rowell, Derwood lived life with a simple order: God, Family, Church and Friends.

Throughout his 89 years, his was a steady and reassuring force—ready with a prayer, a joke, or a hug, whichever was most needed at the moment—to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He was deeply committed to all the people he loved, which was evident in the way he lived his life: loving, supportive, and faithful.

He graduated from McCamey High School in 1955 and attended Odessa College, studying theater. After serving in the U.S. Army, Derwood found his calling in television broadcasting and his rich baritone was heard for decades as the voice of KTVT Channel 11 in Dallas/Fort Worth and he was known to thousands of children in the metroplex as the man they always saw interviewing local people and celebrities while they waited to watch Cartoon Carnival at 12:30. He hosted the weekly radio shows The Baptist Hour and the long-running series, Country Crossroads, where he conducted hundreds of interviews with country and western singers and songwriters.

He was a member of the board of deacons at Travis Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Worth for over 30 years where he also taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. He was a founder, with Stanley Knowles, of the country music trio Tumblin’ Creek, which was invited to be regular performer at the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport and at the 1984 World’s Fair in New Orleans, and at such venues as the Grapevine Opry, Casa Manana, and the Cross Timbers Opry in Stephenville where he emceed their weekly show for over two decades. He and Stan Knowles, and their wives, Carolyn and Daphne, were owners of the music store in the Wedgewood area, DC Sound.

He proudly served for many years as the host of the annual Police Award Foundation’s Appreciation Dinner in Fort Worth, was the announcer for the Western Hills High School marching band in the 1980s and ‘90s, and in retirement was a volunteer teacher with the Tarrant Literacy Association and at Travis Avenue.

Derwood's passing is a profound loss to all who were touched by his life. He is remembered with respect and admiration for the dignity and strength that defined him. His legacy endures through the memories he leaves behind in the hearts of many, especially his wife of 64 years, Carolyn, his children Barry Rowell (Catherine), Kelly Beaty (Greg), Heather Weed (Alan), and Ellen Rowell; his grandchildren, Rebekah Pauly (Chris), William Cooke (Lexie), Jacob Weed, Samuel Weed (Tara), and Hannah Weed; and his great grandchildren: Jackson and Stratton Pauly, Beckett and Brooks Cooke.

The celebration of his life will be at 1pm on Thursday, May 21 at Travis Avenue Baptist Church, 800 W. Berry St., Fort Worth; the service will also be streamed on the church website at travis.org. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mercy Clinic of Fort Worth, https://www.mercy-clinic.org/donate

We honor Derwood's memory with gratitude for the time we shared with him. His story, rooted in the rich soil of Texas and marked by a steadfast character, will continue to inspire those who knew him well.