Alfred Herbert Fowler

Alfred Herbert Fowler, Sr., also known as Pete to family and friends was born in Joplin, Missouri to Almeda Lewis-Fowler and Lorenzo Fowler on June 23, 1929. Alfred was one of the youngest of 11 children which included 5 girls, Buletta, Laura Mae, Martha, Mary Louise, and Emma Jean and 6 boys Eugene, Lester, Harvey, Lorenzo Jr., Herman, and Sol.

Alfred spent his childhood in Joplin the way many young kids did, riding bicycles, playing in creeks, and helping the family survive. A moral obligation to help others and do good in the world was instilled in all the Fowler children; being of service to others was expected. The values he was taught were challenged and displayed when at the age of 15 Alfred saved a 6-year-old boy from drowning in Joplin Creek, his bravery even made the local newspaper. Shortly after his heroic act Alfred moved California with his mother, brother Harvey and sister Emma Jean.

Early on Alfred displayed an inquisitive nature, many hours were spent disassembling, repairing, and tinkering with anything he could get his hands on. Over the years these talents were refined making Alfred a highly skilled craftsman. Whether he was replacing an alternator or building a brick wall, Alfred was a master of all trades and took pride in work. This pride and self-discipline would serve him well when in 1951 Alfred was drafted by the United States military where he served his country honorably as a machine gunner for two years. His time spent serving our nation in post WWII Japan sparked an interest in traveling the world which eventually became one of his many hobbies.

In the summer of 1950, Alfred married his first wife, Gelater Esther Ford. The young couple would go on to have six children, Paul, Esther, Herbert, Virgil, Maria who passed away at birth and Mary who passed away in infancy. The charm and natural talents that Alfred was blessed with were lovingly passed to each of his children; as adults you can see that his spirit and innate gifts live on through them. Paul’s charisma, Herbert’s tinkering, Esther’s Charm and Virgil’s desire to always do good in this world are reflections of him. Alfred was an incredibly hard worker, he spent 31 years employed by the LADWP before retiring on October 1, 1984. In 1978 Alfred wed his second wife, Rozella Mincey-Fowler. The two devout Christians spent many years together doing what they loved, traveling, fishing, spending time with family and being of service to others by welcoming several foster children.

Awaiting Alfred at the heavenly gates are his wife Rozella, parents Almeda & Lorenzo Fowler, his daughters Mary and Maria and all 10 of his brother and sisters, Buletta, Laura Mae, Martha, Mary Louise, Emma Jean, Eugene, Lester, Harvey, Lorenzo Jr., Herman and Sol.

He is survived by his sons Paul of Winnetka CA, Virgil of Palmdale CA, Herbert of Pacoima CA, and his daughter Esther of San Jose CA. The legacy he leaves behind continues to grow with his 10 grandchildren Onyeka, Paula, Seth, Tamar, Monique, Madia, Xavier, LaShonda, Odel and Detreon and 12 great-grandchildren Odel jr., Damauri, Zamira, Selena, Lance, Ezekiel, Malakhi, Ximena, Tayvion, Tatyanna, Elijah and Layla.