Kenneth Fowler

Kenneth Allen Fowler, of Ft. Myers, FL formerly of Schoolcraft, passed away on August 9, 2018 at the age of 68. He is survived by his three children: Eric David Fowler, and Adam Scott Fowler (Tammie) of Schoolcraft, and Joshua Mark Fowler of Saginaw; one sister Suzie (Dennis) Fitzgibbon of South Haven. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his Mother and Stepfather: Dorothy June (Karl) Smith, and his Father: Brenton Dodge Fowler; one brother Brenton Donald Fowler.

Ken was born in Leominster, Massachusetts, but soon after moved with his mother and brother to Kalamazoo in 1953 where his mother met and married Karl Smith. His mother and stepfather eventually moved out to Barton Lake in 1955, where Ken spent his childhood days. He attended Vicksburg Community schools and graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1967. While in high school, he played many sports, but football was his favorite. Ken has many life long friends from both the neighborhood at Barton Lake, and from his school days in Vicksburg.

Ken met Cheryl Scott at Mapleview Baptist Church on Shaver Road in 1966 where they both attended with their parents. He married Cheryl on June 20, 1969 at the First Baptist Church in Vicksburg, and they were married for 35 years, divorcing in 2004. He had no other marriages.

After graduating from high school, Ken attended a year of community college, and then enlisted with the Army Reserve in 1969 and was honorably discharged May 19, 1975.

In high school, Ken worked at Heimstra’s Sunoco, and the Thriftway Grocery Store in Vicksburg. As an adult in 1970, after community college he began with Eckrich Meats as a salesperson. Ken worked for Eckrich for several years, but later joined Jewel/Osco in Kalamazoo as a meat cutter, where he eventually became the Meat Department Manager. After leaving Jewel/Osco in 1981 he purchased the Snow’s IGA store in Vicksburg and renamed the store Fowler’s Grocery. The previous owners, the Mattimore’s, were like family to Ken, and they served as a mentor to him. He sold Fowler’s grocery in 1985 and purchased the Tastee Freeze in Mendon that same year. He owned the Tastee Freeze for two years, and then sold it, and purchased a restaurant in Vicksburg in 1987 called Marjo’s. Eight years later he purchased a second restaurant in Schoolcraft and called it Marjo’s West. He sold both restaurants in 2005.

Ken loved to watch his boys play football for the Schoolcraft Eagles, and although he was proud of all of his boy’s accomplishments, he was especially proud of the 1988 State Championship when his son Adam played on the team.

Ken loved the game of golf and spent a great deal of time on the golf course. You could find him out at States Golf Course 2-3 times a week swinging a club. He organized many golf leagues, and for several years held a Fowler Open tournament. Ken was very outgoing and he loved being around people. He had the habit of always asking if you were hungry, as he wanted you to sit down and share a meal with him.

Growing up on Barton lake, Ken’s love for the lake never wavered through the years. He owned cottages at one time or another on Barton Lake, Gravel Lake, and Portage Lake. His family has many fond memories of summers at the cottage on those lakes.

Ken moved to Florida in 2005, and as was typical for Ken he made many friends in Florida, just as he had in Michigan. He loved the weather, as he could play golf all year long. He lived in Cape Coral for a number of years and was employed there as a meat cutter. In his retirement he moved to Ft. Myers, but his health began to decline within a few years. His family tried to coax him to move back to Michigan, but he loved Florida and did not want to return to snowy Michigan.

Ken will be remembered as a good provider and a hard worker, as he was always up at 5:00 a.m. to get the job done.

His memorial will be held at the Pine View Golf Course in Three Rivers on Wednesday, September 19th from 10-12. A private graveside service will follow the memorial at 12:30 PM at the Schoolcraft Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Schoolcraft Eagles Football Fund.

The family is being assisted by the McCowen & Secord Family Funeral Homes, Rupert-Durham Chapel, 409 S. Main, Vicksburg (269-649-1697).