Eric Hale Fowler

Eric Hale Fowler was born on Sunday, September 5, 1982, at Good Shepherd Medical Center to parents Julie Hale Fowler and Gary O'Neal Fowler. From the hospital, Eric went home to South Longview, where he lived for the first six years of his life. Ate age of two and a half, Eric was enrolled in Trinity Episcopal Day School and remained in the school until he graduated from high school in May of 2001.

Eric then enrolled in the Kilgore College Diesel Technology Program and was awarded a certificate of completion. Afterwards he worked as a truck and oil field maintenance mechanic. In 2004, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was responsible for the maintenance and repair of the U.S.S Halsey's (DDG97) AC equipment and received a medal for correcting a malfunction in the ship's equipment so that so that it could remain on deployment. One of his favorite expressions was, "The difference between you and me is that I can fix things." After leaving the Navy, he remained in San Diego, employed as a truck mechanic but became homesick for East Texas. He moved back and bought property in Hallsville where he maintained his home until his death.

Eric was particularly proud of three areas of his life. First, he loved the outdoors and spent as much time as he could with his father and his friends in search of the perfect deer or bass. Secondly, he trained himself to be an excellent cook and loved preparing food for friends and family. And, finally, Eric was proud of his service in the U.S. Navy to his country.

Eric is survived by his mother, Julie Hale Fowler and was preceded in death by his father, Gary O'Neal Fowler, his four grandparents, two uncles, Dale Sloan and Lee Hale. Eric also has many relatives: John, Dee Anne, Trey, and Nika Sloan; Vanessa and Derek Faulkner and their five children; Stephen and Melissa Sloan and their two children; and others.

Eric died at his home on February 9 after a lengthy illness. A celebration of his life will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church on Monday, February 16 at 2:00 in the afternoon. The family will greet guests' afterwords in the Parish Hall. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Rader Funeral Home in Longview.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Longview's Animal Protection League in Eric's name.