John Fillmore Fowler

After a long and happy life, John Fillmore Fowler died August 18, 2010 following a lengthy battle with cancer. Born May 29, 1924 in Fayette, Alabama, John was the youngest of three sons born to Henry Lee Fowler and Elba Stough Fowler. He has been married to the love of his life, Lorain Ellis Fowler for 62 years, and leaves to mourn his loss, his wife and two daughters Marcelle Fowler Armes (Bruce), and Julie Fowler Kanner; three grandchildren, Amanda Armes Royce, John Matthew Armes (April), and Zachary Evan Kanner; and five great-grandchildren, Aubrey Armes-Johns, Breckin Armes-Johns, Alicia Royce, Bo Royce and Ethan Royce; sister-in-law Ernestine Ellis, and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Fowler was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Allen Lee Fowler and V. K. Fowler, his brother-in-law Pat Ellis and his nephew Keith Ellis.

Mr. Fowler was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity at the University of Florida, graduating with a degree in Agriculture in 1946. He taught high school in Ft. Lauderdale and later in Sanderson, where he also coached boys and girls basketball. In 1951 he joined FLECO Corporation in Jacksonville and later Rome Plow in Georgia, and began traveling internationally representing those companies. Throughout his adult life, he was also an active member of his community, serving in leadership capacities in both civic organizations and his church. After a brief retirement, he worked for several years at Baptist Hospital. Mr. Fowler was a long-time member, Deacon, choir member and Sunday School teacher at Southside Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM Saturday, August 21, 2010 at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 4115 Hendricks Avenue with Pastor Gary Webber officiating. Burial at Riverside Memorial Park will follow. Family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Friday (today) at the funeral home.