John Fowler

John Fowler died peacefully on May 14th at his home in Scaly Mountain at the age of 84. Born in Marietta, GA, the son of Dr. Ralph W. Fowler and Irma Dobbs Fowler, John remained close to his childhood friends all of his life. After two years at the University of the South, he attended and graduated from the University of Georgia where he met his much beloved wife, Sandra Cole, from Bluefield, West Virginia. He practiced real estate in Marietta and enjoyed backpacking, motorcycling, paddling and rappelling in his free time—he came close to death dangling upside down for hours on a cliff in Tallulah Falls and once on a pecan tree in the back yard.

In 1979 John and Sandra retired to Clayton GA, where his family had long enjoyed a summer home near Lake Burton, and they later moved a little north to Scaly Mountain. He came to know the nooks and crannies of his mountain home by serving as a census-taker, selling real estate, and taking his family on adventurous drives down hundreds of bumpy dirt roads. He loved to soar in his flying machine until a near-encounter with a plane at the Franklin airport grounded him. He and Sandra owned Middlecreek Barn in Scaly Mountain for more than 30 years; he took pleasure in restoring and selling antique tools and other treasures. He also enjoyed travel--- Spain, Italy and the French Alps were favorite destinations.

John grew up in and created his own close-knit and loving family. He is preceded in death by his parents and his dear brothers Dr. Ralph W. Fowler Jr. and Robert Dobbs Fowler. He is survived by his wife Sandra, his daughter Laurie Fowler and his grandchildren John Amble Johnson and Sam Johnson and Amy Coenen Johnson, all of whom he was enormously proud, his sweet sister Phyllis Fowler Glenn, his sisters-in-law Judy Fowler Ottley and Debbie Cole Ciaburri, his brother-in-law Michael Ciaburri and his nieces Nancy Fowler Bivins, Louise Fowler Chernecky, Virginia Glenn Suggs, Laura Glenn, Libby Ellis Cole and his nephews Ralph Fowler III, Charles Mitchell Fowler, Thaddeus Lamar Glenn, Jonathan Ciaburri, Patrick Ciaburri, Tyler Witten Cole, Daniel Ciaburri and a score of grand nieces and nephews who visited often and gladdened John’s heart. He was a free- spirited and proud man. He took good care of his family and friends. He loved the out-of-doors and animals, particularly his dogs and cats who followed him everywhere. His family will cherish the fun and loving memories of life w/ John forever. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Four Seasons Hospice Foundation, 221 N. Main Street, Hendersonville NC 28792 or Chattooga Conservancy at 8 Sequoia Lane, Clayton GA 30525.

A memorial service in John’s honor will be held June 16, 2018 at 1:00pm at the Scaly Mountain Community Center, Scaly Mountain, NC 28775.


Hunter Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

An on-line obituary and guest register is available at www.hunterfuneralhomega.com