Fowler Dugger Jr.

1922 - 2014

Fowler Dugger Jr.

Black Mountain - Fowler Dugger Jr., 92, of Highland Farms Retirement Community in Black Mountain, died peacefully October 15, 2014.

Fowler was born April 10, 1922, in Andalusia, Alabama, the elder of two children of the late Fowler and Florence Cummings Dugger. He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-five years, Vivian Gwaltney Dugger, their infant son, Fowler III, and his brother, Atwell Dugger.

He attended Bowdoin College, The University of the South and graduated from the University of Alabama. He received a Master's degree from Duke University. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon social fraternity. He served his country during World War II in the U.S. Army in the 2nd Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. Fowler and Vivian married Oct. 19, 1944, at Fort Meade, Maryland, days before he left for service in Europe.

Fowler's career as a writer began as a news reporter in Franklin, Virginia. He and Vivian moved to Auburn, Alabama in 1948, where he worked as news editor for the Lee County Bulletin and then in various capacities at Auburn University, including as editor of the Auburn Alumnews. He retired from Auburn as director of the AU News Bureau in 1987. While in Auburn he was a working partner in the family commercial egg business, High Hope Farm. He also worked as director of news and publications at St. Andrews Presbyterian College, Laurinburg, North Carolina. He and Vivian enjoyed visiting the mountains of North Carolina and retired to Sherwood Forest in Cedar Mountain, North Carolina in the early 1990s.

Fowler lived his faith daily. He was an ordained deacon and elder in the Presbyterian Church. He was an active volunteer with the Presbyterian Community Ministry in Auburn and a dedicated tutor in the Rise and Shine after-school program in Brevard. A gentle and humble man, he was a compassionate advocate for equal opportunity and environmental, racial and economic justice.

He developed a lasting love of sailing and golf in high school while living in Pelham, New York. He was also an avid gardener, a loyal sports fan, especially of SEC football, women's basketball and his beloved Washington Nationals. Ever curious and eager to learn, he took up beekeeping in his 80s.

A devoted and loving husband, brother, father and grandfather, he is survived by his 4 children, Vivian Carol Dugger of Cedar Mountain, NC, Dorothy Whitnell Dugger (Lou Bonoff) of Oakland, CA, Lee Milton Dugger (Martha Hill Dugger) of Asheville, and Lane Cummings Dugger of Sandy Springs, GA; 4 grandchildren, Ben Otis Dugger Lerer, Logan Fonde Dugger, Anne Warren Dugger, Jacob Lane Dugger and Benjamin Greene Dugger; sister-in-law, Judy Dugger of Whispering Pines, NC; 1st cousins, Ruth Dugger Sanders of Virginia Beach, VA, Alice Dugger Christenson and Mary Dugger Reeves of Birmingham, AL, Barbara Cummings Wanner of Safety Harbor, FL, Greig Cummings of Bethesda, MD, Carolyn Cummings Glenn of Long Beach, WA, numerous dear nieces & nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 8, 11 AM, at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall following the service.

Memorial gifts may be made to Rise & Shine Freedom School, c/o Neighbors in Ministry, Brevard, NC 28712, or at riseshine.org.