Fletcher Fogle

Evander "Fletcher" Fogle, II (2004-2024)

Fletcher Fogle was desperately wanted and highly planned out. He was conceived during the one week his parents met up in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where his dad and namesake was separately serving in The Navy. His grandfather joked that Fletcher was a product of those fertile Cuban waters. However, all knew that God had a purpose for Fletcher, and that no happy accident could result in a child so special. Fletcher, as those who knew him will attest, was incredibly smart and empathetic to a fault, traits that tortured him during his last years suffering with major depression. In fact, his parents believe he was too kind to be able to survive the world as we know it.

Fletcher once put money under his pillow for The Tooth Fairy to give to other children in need. He 'saved' every acorn, animal, and 'plant' (i.e. weeds) he could find. To his credit, he brought several of the family plants back from the brink with his gentle care and attention. Unfortunately, he also gathered a collection of weeds. One such weed was harvested from the side of the road necessitating an abrupt car stop, and, as weeds tend to do, grew grandly in the garden he shared with his mom. She could never dare cut said 'plant' because Fletcher would certainly know. Even convincing him to let her pull up the dying pansies in Spring was trying for him.

Fletcher split his interests between intense gaming with friends and his horticulture efforts. Next to his multiple game controllers and enormous gaming computer (his pride and joy) sat a self-made 'hot box' where he was nurturing plants from seedlings. He also had an arrangement of rescued orchids nearby that he wouldn't allow his mother to touch due to her black thumb. He and his mom enjoyed sharing videos of orchid care and spending time gardening together.

Fletcher was a freshman at Georgia Tech, an accomplishment that bespoke his intellectual abilities. Even his dad begrudgingly agreed that Fletcher was the smartest person in the house. Fletcher used to thank his parents for giving him dad's brain and mom's ability to do something useful with it.

Fletcher graduated from The Westminster Schools where he was elected into the National Honor Society and was a National Merit Scholarship commended recipient. Starting at Sarah Smith Elementary and expanding at Westminster, he forged a small but mighty posse of friends that included Brooks Ortale, the best friend an introverted boy could have. Fletcher avoided crowds and socializing, but loved his friends dearly. He derived some of his brief moments of joy during his last years from this amazing group of boys. His love for his friend group was only rivaled by his love for his beloved pups Parker, Charley and Ginny (who will surely see him when they each cross over the Rainbow Bridge).

Fletcher is preceded in death by his grandfathers, Donnie Bruce Fogle and Bennie Dewain Hickman. He is survived by his two brothers, Alexander and Bennett, who belonged to his fan club. Although Alex ribbed him about his quirkiness, he was incredibly compassionate towards Fletcher and his struggles. Bennett idolized Fletcher and frequently joined him online where they forged their adolescent friendship. Fletcher is also survived by his parents, Evander Fletcher Fogle and Robin Hickman Fogle; his grandmothers Judith Schlatter Fogle and Matilda Coffey Hickman; his aunts and uncles Adam Schlatter Fogle, Dian 'Tossy' Fogle, Robert Coffey Hickman, Shawn Berger Hickman, Suzannah Courtney Fogle; and a multitude of supportive extended family members who loved him dearly.

Fletcher's family finds great peace having been blessed with Fletcher's presence for 19 years and knowing that the minute Fletcher left this earth he was embraced by Jesus. At that time all of the excruciating pain he had suffered was instantly replaced with the greatest of joy, which he absolutely deserved.

In Fletcher's own words to his future self, "You are incredibly unique and unapologetically yourself. That is enough to make you worthy of love and happiness." Amen to that.

A memorial service will be held January 31, 2024, 11:00am, at the fellowship hall, Peachtree Church, 3434 Roswell Road NW, Atlanta, GA, 30305.

In lieu of flowers (because Fletcher would have hated the waste), please consider donating to the Atlanta Humane Society or Trees Atlanta in his name.

In remembrance of my amazing son, a beautiful soul we were blessed to know. In his honor, please be kind to one another and treat our planet with the respect she deserves.