James "J.D." Fowler

1929 - 2025

James David Fowler "J.D.", age 95, of Monroe, Georgia, went home to be with his beloved Lord and Savior Monday, January 6, 2025, in Athens, Georgia.
He was born November 6, 1929, at home near Delta, Iowa, to the late Harry Owen "Doc" Fowler and Zelpha Mae Phillips Fowler.
J.D. entered the Air Force and was stationed at Eglin Air Force base after high school. He met Faye Gray of Pensacola, Florida, while giving a presentation at her church and married July 5, 1952. He graduated with a B.A. from Oglethorpe University having received the Faculty Scholarship award for achieving the highest scholastic average of any man in the graduating class.
J.D. enjoyed a long career as a flight line instructor with Lockheed Martin in Smyrna, Georgia, and retired to pursue a second career. He moved from Smyrna to Dallas, Georgia, the summer of 1987. He was instrumental in the creation of the Quick Start program for the State of Georgia. The purpose of the program was to travel nationally and internationally and offer start up training for large corporations in hopes of bringing more industry to the state. He has fond memories of his travels to other countries and the people he enjoyed meeting.
He was awarded a commendation from Governor George Busby for his work. He retired from the state and began to do private consulting with large corporations for startup training.
J. D. retired at the age of 70 and became immersed with his church community. He enjoyed leading Bible study and soon became a deacon. He was a skilled artist and did many of the illustrations for his training manuals and also used art to give Bible story presentations.
J.D. was an excellent mechanic and was known to have repaired many cars in our neighborhood and rarely asked for payment for parts or labor. Dad was an avid Scrabble player and was the champ for many years. He was a skilled vegetable gardener and loved to fish. J.D. and Faye enjoyed traveling after retirement and spending time fishing at their humble lake retreat in Hiawassee. He has been known to say that he sure hopes there is fishing in heaven.
J.D. was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife, Elsie Faye Gray Fowler; and siblings, Gerald "Geri" Fowler, Ivan Fowler, Betty Grimm, and Marilyn Kolosik.
He is survived by his children, John Fowler of Iowa, Rebecca (Robert) Panter of Monroe, Georgia, Sharon (Jim) Butler of Dallas, Georgia, and Judy (Johnny) Burns of Hokes Bluff, Alabama; grandchildren, Michael (Maggie) Fowler, Melissa (Jeff) Howard, Lindsey (Tommy) Niknezhad, Jason (Pat) Moore, Jennifer (Arturo) Guzman, Autumn (Jason) Brown, Josh Burns, Sabrina (Israel) Caban, and Timmy Burns; 18 great-grandchildren; nine great-great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
Funeral services were held Monday, January 13, 2025, at 2 p.m. from the Akins-Cobb Blue Ridge Chapel with Pastor James Cook officiating. Interment followed in the Chastain Memorial Park in Blue Ridge, Georgia with Jason Moore,
Jason Brown, Israel Caban, Michael Fowler, Mark McCravy, and Tommy Panter served as pallbearers.
The family visited with friends at the funeral home Sunday evening, January 12, 2025, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinscobb.com
Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Blue Ridge, Georgia, was in charge of these arrangements.