John H. Fowler Sr.

John Fowler, of Austin, passed away on September 20, 2013 after his courageous battle against kidney cancer. He was 75 years, 11 months and 1 day old. And he did his best to make it to his birthday for more cake. John was born on October 19, 1937 in Monroeville, Alabama as the youngest child of Robert Pullen Fowler and Aura Mae Owen. His siblings include James “Bud” Owens [d.], Hazel Whitaker [d.], Woodrow Fowler, William Fowler, and Paul Fowler.

John excelled in high school sports and was named Outstanding Athlete. He showed his leadership as the football quarterback, basketball center and baseball pitcher. He was offered a scholarship to the University of Alabama. But it was Coach Bear Bryant’s first year and he cancelled all football scholarships. Even though he didn’t make it to campus, he remained a firm Crimson Roll Tide supporter his whole life. He did his best to express his support while watching his last football game when Alabama beat Texas A&M 49 – 42.

In 1958, John enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal 2 times and qualified as Rifle Marksman. His duty tours were in Okinawa, Japan; South Korea; Quantico, VA; and he proudly served as Honor Guard for President Kennedy’s Inaugural Parade on 1/20/61. It was minus 10 degrees after a huge snow storm during his 2 hours duty that turned into 4 hours.

John started working with auto parts in the NAPA warehouse in Jacksonville, Florida and continued to sell parts for the rest of his career. He had most part numbers memorized and made friends with all his customers due to his high level of service.

Bowling was more than a sport or hobby for John. It was his dream. His life revolved around league night, weekend tournaments and constant practice. John reached his goal with his 1st 300 perfect game at age 50 and the last one at age 69. There was a total of 22 perfect games, one 800 series, numerous awards, league championships, high average, etc., etc., etc. He always dreamed of being a professional bowler on TV.

That job at NAPA changed his life forever. It’s there his eye was caught by the female ‘wiggle’ of his young trainee. Soon after his heart was caught forever and he loudly announced to all the fellow employees that he was going to marry Patricia “Pam” Adele Morgan. He had his work cut out for him as she repeatedly told him to “drop dead”. After getting to know him, Pam did fall in love with John but didn’t tell him. Instead she told their co-workers first. When they went to congratulate John, he thought he had gotten a raise. He received something much more valuable: joy and happiness. John and Pam were married on Saturday, January 12, 1963 at 2 PM and celebrated their 50th anniversary on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 2 PM.

Although not into changing diapers or giving bottles, John was a devoted father of his own basketball team. Team Fowler consists of Margaret, John Jr., Christopher, Deborah, and Stephen.

The five children inherited his love of sports and he attended every football, volleyball, basketball, track, baseball and softball game that he could. But basketball is the only sport they all played in common.

He was a Worldwide Marriage Encounter circle member with Pam. The family was also involved with Engaged Encounter and Family Encounter. John’s greatest membership was in 1979 when he became a Roman Catholic after many years of supporting his wife & family with their faith. Soon he became a catechist for confirmation class, baptism preparation and engaged couple instructions. He also served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and Christ Renews His Parish Men’s Team #2 facilitator at St. Louis King of France Catholic Church in Austin, Texas.

The next generation of Team Fowler² is John’s baseball team of his nine grandchildren. Those who lovingly call him Granddaddy are Jessica, Olivia, Morgan, Hayden, Lucas, Erin, Michael, Danielle and Ainsley. His greatest joy was spending time with his ‘sweet pea’, ‘sweetie pie’, ‘bear’, ‘buddy’, etc.

John came from a large family of siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, their spouses and children. Then he married into an even larger family which expanded his capacity to love. Every family member knew him as helpful and loving. He especially enjoyed his friendship with his cousin Stan. Then he added ‘adopted’ family just based on their deep friendship with him like the Trahans, the Mitchells, the Molins, the Muldoons, Bob, the Kaderlis, the Englishs and the Shorts. The family sends great thanks to the Wednesday ‘cronies’ breakfast group that kept John active and social in his last years.

His enjoyments: sports of any kind and all levels of play, western movies & books, EVERY John Wayne movie, cars that were the latest & greatest in his day (now called antiques), traveling, walking on the beach with his other half, country music, all 105 books by Louis L’Amour and the six military series published by W.E.B. Griffin. A baseball hat was always on his head.

Pam would like to thank the great staff at Austin Hospice and especially MaryJo and Jack who helped the family care for John in his last days and kept his dignity as a person. All the family would like to thank Katie & Roger who helped him with his last play in this game of life.

Events will be held at John’s home parish, St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Round Rock, Texas: - Memorial Thursday, 9/26, 7 PM, - Mass of Christian Burial Friday, 9/27, 1 PM and presided by the Very Reverend Michael O’Connor. Please join John’s family at the reception following the service. A military burial will be at future date at the National Cemetery in San Antonio. Semper Fidelis