Boyd L. Rowden; Ojai Entrepreneur

Boyd L. Rowden, an Ojai-based entrepreneur, died Sunday after a long illness. He was 79.

Rowden was born July 6, 1916, in Billings, Mont. He worked on his parents’ Montana sheep ranch before moving to Ventura County in 1932 and graduating from Ventura High School.

During his 63 years in the county, Rowden started and owned several local businesses. He created the Ventura Blueprint Co., owned Boyd’s Mens Wear and Maureen’s Dress Shop--both in Ojai--owned the State Engineering and Excavating Co. in Ojai and ran Val’s Apparel in Camarillo.

Outside of work, Rowden volunteered as a deputy sheriff in Ojai during the early 1950s and belonged to the First Baptist Church of Ventura. He was a member of Rotary International of Ojai and Camarillo.

Rowden retired in 1976, volunteering his time helping friends and others manage their financial affairs.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Valerie Rowden. Other survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Cherri L. and John R. Hennigan of Vacaville; granddaughters Julianna E. Hennigan of Sacramento and Jennifer V. Hennigan of San Francisco; sister and brother-in-law Beth and Edwin Savard of Ventura, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Barbara and Les Culbert of Somis.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Ventura.