Burrel Rowe III, known to his grand kids as Poppy, passed away on May 29 ^th , 2018 at his home in Livingston, Texas. Burrel Rowe III was born September 22 ^nd , 1936 in Livingston, Texas to Burrel Rowe Jr. and Ida Rowe. He graduated from Livingston High School in 1955 and went to undergraduate school at the University of Texas, where he was a Phi Sigma Kappa. He continued his studies at the University Of Texas Law School and graduated in 1961. That same year, he married Natalie Bennett of Marlin, Texas and took his first job at the Texas Water Commission, where he became chief counsel. In 1965, he joined the water district law firm of Smith, Strock and Rowe, in Houston, Texas. In 1973 he co-authored the Municipal Utility District Act, which was and is the basis for all new water district creations. In 1979, he founded and formed his own law firm of Rowe and Hay. In 1986, Burrel sold his interest in the firm to his partner Ron Young. The firm is still thriving as Young and Brooks. Shortly after selling his firm, Burrel moved back to his home of Livingston and went to work for the Medical Benevolence Foundation of the Presbyterian Church. One of his many accomplishments through the church was his missionary work in Cameroun, West Africa. In 1990, he began a solo practice as an attorney in family and probate law in Livingston. There he worked until his retirement from law in 2017.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Natalie (Bennett), son Bennett Rowe and his wife Dacia of Houston, their combined family of five children Harrison, Emma and Lily Rowe and Ava Leigh and Gwyneth Bryan. Daughter Page and her husband Paul Phillips and his sons Zachary and Nickelus Phillips of Trinity. Burrel had numerous cousins and lifelong friendship with cousins Terry and Clifton Thomason, Beverly Wickersham, Henry Albert and their families. Burrel will forever be remembered by his extended family and his large group of friends.

Burrel was preceded in death by his parents, Ida and Burrel Jr. and his sister Angela Fesperman.

A Celebration of Burrel' s life will be held at 11 am, on June 5th at the First Presbyterian Church of Livingston located at 910 N. Washington Ave., Livingston, Texas 77351. After the service food drink and stories at "the Farm" for all that can make it.

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochranfh.com .