John Fowler

JOHN FOWLER

Cedar Rapids

John C. Fowler, 89, of Cedar Rapids, died peacefully Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha from complications of a stroke. Funeral services, with military honors, will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, at the Marion United Methodist Church, with Pastor Mike Morgan officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Private family burial will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial donations in John's name may be directed to the Marion Little League Association or Marion Foundation & Alumni Association.

Online condolences may be submitted at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Bonnye; son, John (Susan) of Robins; son, James of Rock Island, Ill.; daughter, Mary Mosher (Curt) of Grapevine, Texas; three grandchildren, Ryan Fowler (Sarah) of Fairfax, Megan Abel (Roger) of Fairfax and Alison Limbert (Dan) of Cedar Rapids; and two great-grandchildren, Ava and Owen Limbert.

John C. Fowler was born March 18, 1924, the son of Clarence E. and Bess Smith Fowler. After graduating from Vinton High School, he was awarded a basketball scholarship to the University of Iowa. During his freshman year he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served during World War II with the 30th Infantry Division in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. He was awarded two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star, a Presidential Citation, Combat Infantry Badge and five campaign ribbons. After the war, he graduated from the University of Northern Iowa and was on the basketball and track teams. John then received his master's degree in administrative education from Drake University.

John was a teacher, coach and school administrator, serving 35 years as principal of Vernon Middle School in Marion.

He was a life member of the Iowa State Education Association and National Secondary Principals Association. In 1996, he was inducted as a charter member in the Marion Independent School District's Hall of Fame. He was also a charter member of the School Administrators of Iowa. He was a member of Post 298 American Legion and Marion Masonic Lodge 548.

In years past he served on the boards of the Marion Methodist Church, Marion Public Library and Marion YMCA and was a co-founder and first president of the Marion Little League Baseball Association. He also enjoyed 22 years as the PA announcer at Marion Indian football games.

Most of all, he loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed many close friends and his years as an educator.

His interests included golf (sometimes), traveling, cards and military history.

His lifelong belief in God and country gave him inner peace to live life to the fullest.