James Edward Fowler

Mr. James "Jim" Edward Fowler of Owens Cross Roads, AL, and formerly of Severna Park, Maryland (1967-2016), passed away Monday, January 23, 2023, at his residence with his beloved wife, Carolyn, by his side. Mr. Fowler was born to Mr. and Mrs. Earl P. Fowler on May 4, 1938, in Washington, D.C. He received his education in Public Relations at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he graduated with high honors in 1962. From 1969 to 1999, he dedicated his career to the Institute of Scrap Iron and Steel, Inc. (ISIS), which later became the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI), as the result of a merger in May of 1987.  He retired as their Publisher and Editorial Director, SCRAP magazine, December 31, 1999. During his tenure there, he was awarded the Public Relations Society of America's Silver Anvil Award for excellence in special events for the association’s 50th Anniversary, in 1979.

  Mr. Fowler was a longtime member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants (having been a descendant of Pilgrim William White) and actively served in several offices in the Maryland Mayflower Society. Additionally, he was one the founding members of the William White Society, serving as its interim Deputy Governor during the organization period.  When he and his wife relocated to Alabama, he also became a member of the Alabama Mayflower Society.

  Mr. Fowler was an avid reader who had a fondness for music and gardening, and would never turn down a game of cribbage. He enjoyed college football (Go Terps; fear the turtle!) and he loved to travel. He was charming and witty, and his sense of humor and story-telling abilities will be greatly missed by those who know and love him. 

  James and his wife, Carolyn, were married in the University of Maryland Chapel at College Park, MD on September 10,1960. They went on to have four daughters, who in turn gave him many grandchildren and great grandchildren, all of whom gave him great joy. Mr. Fowler is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Willie Fowler, as well as his only sister, Susan (Fowler) Kallmeyer. He leaves behind his wife of 63 years, Carolyn, and his daughters Denise Panter (Todd) of New Market, AL, Julia Shryock (Michael) of Hague, VA, Cynthia Barnes (Edward) of Skillman, NJ, and Laura Cable (Joseph) of Corpus Christi, TX, as well as fifteen grandchildren, Jocelyn Merkel (Jason), James Panter (Kim), Michael Shryock Jr. (Erin), Benjamin Shryock (Stephanie), Cecilia Luna (Bernie), Hazen Shryock, Lucy Shryock, Matthew Barnes, Megan Barnes, Nicholas Barnes (Alivia), Alison Cable, Jasper Cable, Wendy Cable, Fowler Cable, and Liesl Cable, twenty-one great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews and a large extended family.

A visitation for Mr. Fowler will be at the First Baptist Church of Huntsville (600 Governor’s Drive) on Friday, January 27, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., with a funeral service that will begin at 12:00 noon. Mr. Fowler will be interred at Hampton Cove Cemetery during a private graveside service.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Camp MACOBA (c/o MBA, 2318 Whitesburg Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801).  The camp was a frequent family gathering place that holds many memories and means a great deal to the Fowler family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Edward Fowler, please visit our floral store.