Mark Wakefield Fowler

Loving and beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend, Mark Wakefield Fowler, passed away on January 29, 2015, surrounded by his family, in San Antonio, TX. Born in Houston on January 20, 1948, Mark grew up in Galveston, near the sea he loved. His parents, Marshall Lake Fowler, Jr., M.D., and Katharine Louise Fowler, fostered his early love of nature, learning, and God. As a young naturalist, Mark closely observed birds migrating through the Island each year, and remained an avid birder all his life. But at Rice University, history became Mark's first love - or possibly second, after the Astros ("the Forces of Light"!). An insatiable reader, he consumed thousands of books over the decades following his graduation. Mark was also a consummate wordsmith: his writing was subtle and deft, and his acute sense of humor brightened all our lives. Above all, Mark was wise, kind, strong, and gentle, a loving, generous soul who worked tirelessly to help others in need, and to protect the natural environment, which he loved so much, for future generations.

Mark's wonderfully deep, mellow voice graced Houston's classical music station KLEF, among others. Mark also worked as a bookseller - a hazardous occupation for one deeply smitten with books! After Mark's move to San Antonio, members of Covenant Presbyterian Church, his beloved extended family, were privileged to hear his resonant bass voice in the choir, and as narrator, reader, writer and actor in special services.

For the past 14 years, Mark had persevered through cancer and its consequences, and impressed friends, family, and doctors with his stoicism, endurance and courage. Through it all, Mark's life has been enriched with family and travel, including World War I tours in France and Belgium, and visits to England, Scotland, and - most recently - Bavaria and the Swiss Alps. Until his last 10 days, Mark remained strong and active; when the final illness hit, it hit suddenly, stunningly, leaving a deep void in our hearts. Mark lived heroically unto his last breath; we will strive to follow his quietly gallant example.

Mark is survived by his wife Sharon; daughter Anne Gaskill, son-in-law Matthew McKibben and grandchildren Parker and Logan; son Harold Vincent Gaskill IV and fianc Nadya Sasonkin; nieces Claire Villarreal, Mattie Parten, Rebecca Villarreal and husband Aaron Thomas; nephews Sol Villarreal, Tal Parten, Davis Parten and family; brothers-in-law Paul Parten and Carlos Villarreal; and cousin Susan Martin and her husband, Ronald Martin, Ph.D.

Funeral services will be held February 8, at 4:00 pm, following visitation at 3:00 pm, at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 211 Roleto Dr., San Antonio, TX.

In lieu of flowers, donations are invited to Mark's favorite causes: Covenant Presbyterian Church, the Nature Conservancy, or Mercy Corps.