James O'Kelley Fowler

James O’Kelley Fowler, 81, of Saint Johns, FL passed away peacefully following a lengthy illness on March 12, 2020. He was born in Royston, GA on April 7, 1938. He was the son of the late Dewey F. Fowler and Pearl Stephens Fowler.

At 16 years old, James entered the United States Navy where he served for 19 years as an aviation boats waimate mechanic specialist. He led fighter pilots of F-18’s to amazingly adrenaline roaring take offs that shook with thunderous gravity and he brought them to safe gentle landings. Each time the sound of freedom roared and protected democracy echoed.

He served on the USS Lake Champlain where they picked up Freedom 7’s Alan Shepherd in the Atlantic Ocean from their first space mission. He also served in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Two military tours included a Mediterranean cruise and a foreign war tour of North Vietnam.

Upon retiring from the United States Navy, James continued his work with F-18 fighter jets at NAS Cecil Field in Jacksonville, FL for 22 years before its closure.

James Fowler is preceded in death by his wife Lois R. Fowler; his parents; and a sister, Betty Chatham.

He is survived by his daughter, Kelly Fowler; son, Kevin Fowler; granddaughter, Nola P. Fowler; great-grandson, Luka S. Aristizabal; and 2 sisters, Pat Price of Sandy Cross, GA, & Carolyn Waldroup of Ila, GA.

A Visitation will be held on Monday March 16th from 6:00-8:00 pm at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin. The Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, March 17th at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32223. Followed by the Burial at Greenlawn Cemetery, 4300 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207.