Ray Fowler

LAFORGE, Mo. — Ray Fowler of Laforge left this earth for his heavenly home Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, peacefully at home, surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born March 24, 1937, to W.B. and Bessie Beatrice Barbre Fowler on his great-grandfather's farm in Laforge.

Ray was a graduate of Kewanee (Missouri) High School and Southeast Missouri State University, where he earned degrees in agriculture, biology and earth science. He also returned to school to get his teaching certificate.

After graduation, he was employed with Ralston-Purina in Montgomery City, Missouri. He returned home to do what he loved, which was farming. He taught biology at New Madrid (Missouri) Junior High School in his off season, until he began farming full time in 1972.

Ray was a charter member of the NMCC Booster Club, a member of the PCA Board of Directors, a summer league baseball coach, an honorary deputy sheriff and an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He was proud to claim baptism in Swift Ditch at age 13. He was a strong man of faith, a member of Kewanee Missionary Baptist Church for 73 years and a beloved Sunday school teacher.

Ray married the love of his life, Carolyn Prince, in 1962, and they celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in January.

Ray will be remembered for his love of his family, his never-ending sense of humor, his entertaining storytelling, his heckling of local referees and umpires, being the local historian and his love of farming. He had a wonderful life filled with laughter, love, family, incredible friendships and the "Kewanee Gang" that always found time to celebrate life.

He is survived by a sister, Joanne Sisson of Portageville, Missouri; son, Tom (Lori) Fowler of Cape Girardeau; daughter, Beth (Gerald) Murphy of New Madrid; grandchildren, Jessie (Blake) Jordan of New Madrid, Alex (Kevin) Graves of Cape Girardeau, Jordan (Grayson) York of New Madrid, Miranda (Dustin) Vincent of Cape Girardeau and Gabe Murphy of Nashville, Tennessee; great-grandchildren, Rae, Grant and Quinn Graves, Graham and Mia Jordan, Riley Vincent and Gatlin York; and several nieces and nephews.

Ray was proceeded in death by his parents, W.B. and Bessie Fowler; brothers-in-law, Bud Sisson, Wayne Prince and Thomas Prince; and sisters-in-law, Shirley Prince, Beverly Prince and Linda Prince.

Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 4, at Kewanee Missionary Baptist Church.

Funeral will follow at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at the church. Burial will be at Mounds Cemetery in Howardville, Missouri.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville is in charge of arrangements.