Tatum Fowler, also known as Buddy, TW, T-Bone, was born March 24, 1935 in Manchester County, Manchester, GA, he was the son of the late, Julian Justus and Pearl (Fuller) Fowler. There was eight boys and one girl. Passed away on Monday, March 25, 2024 at home in Columbus, GA surrounded by his loving family.
At the age of two his mother, Pearl (Fuller) Fowler moved her family to LaGrange, GA (Troup County). By herself, she raised his family of nine, eight boys and one girl.
At the age of seventeen, Tatum volunteered to join the U.S. Army in 1952. He went to Ft. Jackson, South Carolina for Basic training, then went to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina for Airborne training. From there he was shipped to Korea into combat. He served in the following units while in the U.S. Army: 82nd Airborne Division, 508th Airborne Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, 10th Special Forces, 173rd Airborne Brigade (Combat Jump) Vietnam; was an instructor with the Airborne Dept., an instructor with the Ranger Dept. and a skydiver (Free Faller). Retired as a Master Sergeant E-8 in the U.S. Army after 24 years of service and retired as a Sergeant with the Muscogee County, Sheriff Dept. after 25 years of service.
Tatum was awarded the following military Decorations while in the U.S. Army: Bronze Star with V for Valor, Master Jump Wings, Pathfinder Wings, Ranger Tab, Special Forces Tab, Good Conduct Medals (8), National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation, Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Star and 3 Bars, Vietnam Ranger Tab, Vietnam Ranger Advisor, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, 6 overseas Service Bars (Combat in Korea), 2 overseas Service Bars (Combat in Vietnam), Combat Infantry Badge (CIB), Vietnam Staff Service Medal (2nd Class), Eight Service Stripes (24 years of service), and he was Honorably Discharged as an E-8.
Tatum was married for sixty years to his late wife, Rachel Lonita (Brown) Fowler (Deceased in 2015) to whom he still felt committed in marriage. He was survived by his children, Gregory (Mary) Fowler and Gwendolyn (Javad) Fowler-Setayesh; his grandchildren, Beajan "BJ", Brandon, Chloē, Maggie, Sage; his great-grandchildren, Kaleb, Zack, Carson, Bryce, Zayn, and Maverick. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Freeman, Fred, Millard, Amos, William “Bill”, Harry, Jack, and Alice.
He was a member of Grace Baptist Church of Columbus, GA for many years and a member of The Hodges Sunday School Class.
The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers and concerns for the Fowler family. As stated by Tatum; “As all of you here listening to the Pastor, if you are not in church and saved, get into a church and get saved. Enjoy God’s word and your church. If you are saved by God, I will see you in Heaven with my wife, Rachel and sweet Jesus.”
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Edgewood Hall, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, GA 31907 on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at 2:00PM. Pastor Seth Hon will be officiating services. Visitation will be held at Striffler-Hamby in the St. Elmo Room on Friday evening, March 29, 2024 at 6:00PM to 8:00PM. Burial will be held at Parkhill Cemetery with Military Honors and Law Enforcement Honors.
