Christopher Ray Fowler I

Christopher Ray Fowler, I, was born on October 25, 1960, to his loving parents, JoAnn Fowler (Combs) and the late Bobby Ray Fowler. Chris was an adventurous boy and enjoyed fishing with his father, playing little league baseball, and he loved his mother’s cooking. He once told his mother, “mommy you can make an old shoe taste good.” Chris accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age and was baptized by the late Rev. Dr. C.V. Jetter at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. As a child Chris faithfully attended Sunday School, church services, and actively served as a Jr. Usher, Jr. Deacon, sang in the Junior Choir and participated in the church’s youth ministry. As an adult, Chris joined God’s Grace Community Church and enjoyed and cherished participating in the Men’s Ministry.

Chris matriculated in the Indianapolis Public School system, graduating from the former Merle Sidener Elementary School 59, and he graduated from Broad Ripple High School in 1979. Chris served on the Class of 1979’s alumni association and over the years, he helped to plan various activities, including class reunions. Chris entered active service in the United States Army in 1979, and he was stationed at Fort Riley, in Fort Riley, Kansas and he was honorably discharged in 1982.

Until his health declined, Chris worked for IndyGo, a men’s clothing store in the former Lafayette Square Mall, and he managed and provided security at several night clubs around the city of Indianapolis. Chris loved clothes and was dressed to the nines whenever he stepped out. He also loved driving Cadillacs!

Chris was formerly married to Kimberly Thomas and to their union Christopher Ray, II and Tia Jovan were born. Later in life, Chris had a second son, Jonathan Milton Fowler.

Chris was a survivor. He experienced and endured many illnesses over the years. However, on Saturday, August 27, in the early hours of the morning, God called Chris home to his eternal rest, where he was united with his beloved father and grandparents, Eddie and Mattie Lunsford and MC and Thelma Northington. Chris leaves to cherish his memory his mother, JoAnn Fowler Combs; his children, Christopher Ray, II (daughter-in-love, Lori), Tia Jovan, and Jonathan; grandchildren: LaChrysta, Lauryn, Andre, Rae, Chazz, Nova, Callie, Keyel, and Taryn; sister, The Rev. Patrice Fowler-Searcy; nephews, The Rev. Dr. Johannon R. Tate and Ian A. Tate; God-sister, Kathy Cox; life-long, friend and “brother” Coleman Anderson, Sr., and a host of other family and friends.