Augustus "Ray" Fowler

Augustus Ray Fowler of Landover, MD passed away peacefully on October 19, 2015, at the age of 93, in the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and Lou Anne Fowler of Owings, MD, with his wife and several family members at his side. Ray is survived by his wife Ann; his children Katherine Mosimann (Mike), Deborah Kotowicz (Don), Jeffrey Fowler (Lou Anne), David Fowler, Mary Beth Clark (Mel), Stephen, and Daniel (Vicky); daughter-in-law Linda; his grandchildren Louise Phillips (Ken), Beth Hunter, Kim Gibson, Cindy Jensen (Karl), Christine Dziduch, Jeffrey Kotowicz, Karen TerHaar (Erik), Allen Fowler (Christine), Alex Fowler, Brad Fowler, Andrew Fowler (Nellie), Deanna Fowler, Michael Fowler, Sam Clark, Elizabeth Clark, Emily Clark, Josh Clark, Ben Clark, Zach Fowler, Jackson Fowler, Matthew Fowler, Jonathan Fowler, and Kaitlyn Fowler; his twin Gussie Fay “Fay” Jones (Greer, SC) and sister Earlene Haskew “Squeakie” Duncan (Clinton, SC); and 10 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his son Thomas Manning, brothers Thomas “Wayne” and John, and sister Cora Lee “Corky” Adcock. One of six children born to parents Thomas Manning Fowler and Mary Texas Coker, Ray was born in Spartanburg, SC in a town called Tucapau on February 1, 1922. Two years later, the family moved to a textile mill village then known as Victor, SC after the Victor-Monaghan Company where Thomas worked at the mill. In July, 1929 the family moved once again to Greer, SC where they remained until the children were grown. Born shortly after the First World War, Ray grew up during the Great Depression, graduated from Greer High School in 1938, was drafted into the US Army in 1942, became a proud member of the 292nd Joint Assault Signal Corp (JASCO), and fought in the Pacific Theater of operations until the war ended. Ray’s 292nd JASCO participated in assaults on the islands of Guam, Leyte, Kerama Retto, Ie Shima, Okinawa, and Luzon; finally making an amphibious landing on Japan to participate in the Japanese surrender. During the war, Ray acquitted himself well and became the youngest master sergeant in the company. Ray met his future wife Anastasia Forand in Washington, DC while on leave. The oldest of five siblings, Ann was born and raised in New Bedford, MA, graduated from New Bedford High School, and at the age of 20 joined thousands of young women who traveled to Washington, DC to help with the war effort. The two were married on June 21st, 1946 at Saint Mathews Cathedral by Father Robert Louis Quinn. Amazingly, five decades later Father Quinn attended Ray and Ann’s 50th wedding anniversary held at the Knights of Columbus Boswell Hall in Bowie, MD. In 1948, the Fowlers bought a home on Standish Drive in Landover, MD, where they lived for 36 years and raised eight children. Working as an electrician for Capital Electric in Bladensburg, Ray found the time and energy to build a second floor on their two bedroom, one bath home, adding three bedrooms and a second bathroom, while still attending Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church every Sunday and being a good father to his children. During his career, Ray became a highly regarded master electrician well known in the Washington, DC area. After breaking a vertebrae in an on-the-job accident in 1969, Ray transitioned his career and became an outside sales representative for Prince George’s Electric before ending his career as an instructor at the University of Maryland Electrical Apprenticeship program. Ray and Ann moved to Bowie, MD in 1984. One of the greatest members of the Greatest Generation, Ray lived a full life as a strong, fearless, and tireless man who touched and influenced many lives. He was a good son and brother, loyal soldier, beloved husband, successful electrician, and a wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather. As his sons and daughters, we grieve the loss of our father and celebrate his amazing life. One of the phrases dad used to cite was “as long as someone remembers you, you’ll always be alive.” Thankfully dad, you’ll be alive for a very long time. We love you, we miss you, we’re proud of you, and we know that with Ray Fowler as master electrician, the lights of Heaven will work perfectly and shine brightly for eternity. An internment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Calvert Hospice. www.calverthospice.org To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Augustus "Ray" Fowler please visit our Sympathy Store.