Ray Fowler

Ray E. Fowler Sr., age 82, a long time resident of Monroe, MI, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 16, 2008 at 2:35 PM at Fountainview of Monroe, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Ray was born April 4, 1926 in Path Fork, KY the eldest son of the late John Wilse and Maudie (Rowlette) Fowler. Ray served his country in the US Army Airforce during WWII from July 28, 1944 to October 16, 1945 as a medic. Ray had many stories about his encounters with POW’s and reflections of a young man dealing with the word enemy and the reality of friendship and humanity. On August 27, 1946 at Annunciation Catholic Church in Detroit, MI, Ray married Marian Alice Fikes shortly thereafter they moved to Monroe. Ray was employed as a Millwright for Monsanto Corporation in Trenton, MI. for 27 years. Ray retired in 1984 at which time he and Marian became snow birds, residing in Monroe during the beautiful spring, summer and fall months and in Florida during the winters. Ray had a great love of the outdoors. He took his wife and seven children camping and fishing and spent many hours teaching his family about plants, animals and the splendor of the out of doors. He moved his family to a farm in Newport in the early 1960’s and enjoyed many hours of farming and raising kids and animals. Ray was a kind and generous man. He had many friends and relatives in Monroe and throughout the country that will miss him greatly. Ray is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Marian, their 7 loving children; Ray Jr., Bryan (Judy) and Judy (Ken) Stumpmier of Monroe, Jerry of Romulus, MI, Cheryl (Carl) Horvath of Oregon, OH, Diane (Allen) Coates of Rock Ledge, FL, and Barbara (Jeff) Graves of New Port Richey, FL. 20 cherished grandchildren, 27 treasured great grandchildren and 2 cherished great great grandchildren, 2 brothers Truman (Ruth) of Normalville, PA and Carroll (Sue) of Fort Myers, FL. In addition to his parents Ray was preceded in death by 2 sisters; Hazel Barnard and Della Stone, 3 brothers Harold, Boyd and Elmer and a daughter-in-law Dorothy Fowler. Visitation will be held on Monday from 2-8 PM in the Bacarella Funeral Home where funeral services celebrating Ray’s life will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 10:00 AM. The Rev. John Piippo, pastor of Redeemer Fellowship Church, will officiate. Interment will follow at St. Charles Cemetery in Newport, MI. Memorial contributions may be given to Mercy Memorial Hospice of Monroe.