January 10, 1935

Married: Doris Cripps

Daughter: Cindy (Mike) Marks

Grandchildren: Josh and Amber Marks

Donald Gene Rowland was born January 10, 1935 in Dekalb County, Tennessee to Elmer and Berdie Rowland. He is the oldest of three children. His sister is Sue Manning and a brother, Albert, who passed away in 2010. When he was eleven years old, his mom and dad bought a dairy farm on Tuckers Gap Road in Lebanon. In addition to the dairy, they also raised tobacco, hay, corn and a garden. His mom also worked at the Lebanon Garment Factory.

After moving to Lebanon, he went to McClain School where he played basketball and football and he attended Lebanon High School. Donald then joined the United States Navy in November 1953. During his navy years, he served in Japan as an aviation mechanic. He served on the USS Essex and was discharged in September 1957.

After returning home, Donald married Doris Cripps and worked at Otis Elevator for a short while. Soon he went back to farming on the family farm. In 1959, he bought his first new tractor, a John Deere 730 which he still uses on the farm today. Little did he know that this purchase would be the start of his long-time career.

One day during hay season, he walked into Donnell Motor Company, the local John Deere dealer, needing a part for his hay baler. He was told that they only kept one of this particular part on hand and they had sold it the day before. The part would have to be ordered. Frustrated and on his way out the door, he mumbled a little too loud "I ought to just buy the darn (not the word he used) place"!! Enoch Comer, the parts man who had just waited on Donald, followed him out the door and said, "it’s for sale". So, Donald borrowed the money and his little brother’s pickup truck, rented the building and opened Rowland Implement Company in April 1963.

Donald’s dad and brother continued to farm full-time and helped with the business when they could. He then became a part-time farmer, milking every morning before going to the shop. During the early years of the business, Doris was the bookkeeper while also helping with the dairy and caring for their daughter, Cindy.

As property around the dealership became available for sale, Donald bought it and built and new, much larger building in 1975. This allowed space for a showroom, several offices, a larger parts and service department and much more room outside for new equipment.

Also, in the early 70’s Donald began buying land between Leeville Pike and Hickory Ridge Road. Much of it was overgrown and had to be cleared and cleaned up. To this day he likes nothing better than burning a brush pile. This farm or "the hill’ as it’s called grew into 230 acres. Now he raises beef cattle, hay, and of course a garden.

In 2006 John Deere decided that it was time for him to close. He always said he wanted to work for 50 years, but that was not to be. After 43 years of hard work, employees who became family, lots of wonderful customers, and a whole lot of joy, in September 2006 Donald closed the doors for the last time. At 85 years old he has come full circle, he’s back to farming full-time that would be after the Price is Right goes off. Stop by anytime and visit, he would love to see you.