Jerry R. Fowler

1944 - 2024

Jerry R. Fowler

March 2, 1944 - April 6, 2024

Laguna Woods, California - Jerry was born on March 2, 1944 in Rupert, Idaho to William and Martha Fowler. He died on April 6, 2024 in Laguna Woods, California from complications related to lung cancer.

He married Marjorie Seeley in Rupert, Idaho in 1963 and together they had three children, Tony, Jeff and Amber. Jerry and Marjorie divorced in 1983.

In 1985, Jerry married Sue Bowman in Fairfield, Idaho and they had a daughter, Elizabeth. Jerry and Sue had been married for 39 years at the time of Jerry's passing.

Jerry graduated from Minico High School in 1962. He began his college studies at the University of Idaho and later graduated from Idaho State University with a bachelor's degree in Sociology. After graduation, Jerry began his career with the State of Idaho as a social worker. He pursued his graduate studies at the University of Denver where he earned a Master of Social Work. After completing his graduate studies, Jerry resumed working for the State of Idaho and attained the position of Chief of the Bureau of Community Rehabilitation in Boise, Idaho. He was instrumental in obtaining Medicaid funding for developmental disabilities services in Idaho, which has greatly benefited many individuals and families over the years.

After several years working for the State of Idaho, he and a colleague went into business together. They started Gem State Shelter Homes and Meridian Developmental Center, both of which provided services to developmentally disabled adults. Jerry later operated Meridian Developmental Center on a solo basis, as well as several similar businesses. Jerry later successfully sold these businesses to various facility operators. Tom Whittemore, a friend and colleague, remembers Jerry as "a remarkable man who had a lasting impact on the provision of services to people with intellectual disabilities in Idaho."

Jerry's next business endeavor was in elder care. Jerry and Sue partnered with their good friends Bruce and MaryAnn Murdoch to build and run Plantation Place Assisted Living in Boise. Plantation Place opened in December of 1996 and was sold to Edgewood Healthcare of North Dakota in 2011. Those were great years, and many considered the facility to be the best in Boise.

In 2013, Jerry and Sue moved from Boise to Lincoln City, Oregon, and then to Sequim, Washington where they lived for eight years. In 2022, they moved to Laguna Woods, California to be closer to their daughter, Elizabeth.

In addition to his many successful business ventures, Jerry was an avid golfer, fly fisherman and reader. He also loved playing slots and would never pass up a hand of poker.

He is survived by his wife, Sue; children, Tony and grandson Logan; Jeff and grandson Kevin (Jessica); Amber Kofoed (Jim) and grandsons Chase and Alex of Twin Falls, Idaho; and Elizabeth Williams (Jonathan) of Lake Forest, California. He is also survived by grandson Kevin's daughters, Lilly, Eva and Alice.

Preceding him in death were his parents William and Martha, sisters Barbara Fowler and Deborah Hayden, nephews Matthew and Nick Hayden, and his beloved dog, Sadie.