Alfred Jimmie Fowers Obituary (1945

On November 8, 2023, our family experienced the loss of a very good man, Jim Fowers. He was a husband, dad, brother, uncle, grandpa, and great grandpa. He was also a good friend to many. Jim was born on May 31, 1945, to John Alfred and Amy (McEwan) Fowers. Jim was raised in Orem, Utah, on his family's farm. He learned many skills from a very young age and was taught how to work very hard. He grew up farming next to his dad, John, and continued farming, in addition to his many other jobs. After graduating from high school, Jim attended college at the University of Utah, and became a licensed electrician. On May 4, 1966, he married the love of his life, Kathryn Ann (Kathie) Jensen of Pleasant Grove, Utah. Jim and Kathie raised a family in Orem, Utah. They were blessed first with a daughter, Kayleen, then a son, Jimmie, then another daughter DaLaine. In 1968, Jim honorably went and served his country, in the height of the Vietnam War. Jim served in the Army, and was a Staff Sgt. E-6 in the 259th Battalion based from Pleasant Grove, Utah. He was the oldest in the platoon and referred to as "the old man" at the age of 23 years old. He served the majority of his time on the front lines of the war and experienced threats, wounds, burns, poisonous chemicals, and witnessed so much suffering, cruelty, and death. He was awarded numerous awards and medals during and after his service, including 2 bronze stars and 2 silver stars. He came home and continued to work on the family fruit farm, planting and tending orchards and gardens. Dad also worked as a diesel mechanic, a long-haul truck driver (shout out to "Lucky #8 and the Rowdy Bunch!). He worked as a dispatcher and pretty much anything else in the trucking industry. He was a business owner for a time, a small trucking company, Lindon Transport. He also partnered in a small business as a fishing and hunting guide in Alaska. Jim later worked in Sales and did training for companies and State DOTs, providing materials for all types of highway safety products, for Interstates and Highways nationwide. He and Mom also collected and sold antiques for many years. They enjoyed traveling and finding these treasures and sharing them with others. Dad's biggest passion was later found with animal rescue, especially birds. Dad and Mom rescued, rehabilitated, and re-homed exotic birds such as parrots, cockatoos, cockatiels, and all types of wild birds from tiny hummingbirds to owls, hawks, and eagles. Their reward for this work was seeing the birds find better forever homes, (even if it meant their own home), or to have the joy of releasing them back into the wild. Dad and Mom traveled all over educating adults and children about these birds. This was difficult and demanding work, and they did it with great love, on top of their regular day jobs. Jim's wife, Kathie, passed away April 29, 2022, just one week before they would have celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary. Her death was heart breaking for dad. Jim is survived by his older sister, Joyce Misdom, his brother, Dale (Doris) Fowers, and his sister, Beth (Chris Harrison.) Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his beautiful wife, and a very special brother, Johnnie. Jim leaves behind his 3 children, 5 grandchildren: Jenny Easton, Ben (Emily) Easton, Robyn (Tyler) Stillwater, Riley Fowers, and Brianne (Brie) Fowers, and 2 great-granddaughters, Stella and Iris Easton. The 2 little ones loved their great grandparents very much. Jim also leaves behind many cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends from every facet of his life. Per Jim's request, there will not be a public funeral or service. It was my parents’ wish that they be buried together. They will be laid to rest, together, in the Provo City Cemetery. We love you, Dad. You have left a big hole in our hearts, and you will be greatly missed. In lieu of sending flowers, we would ask that you choose an animal rescue, animal shelter, or a Veterans program and share a donation, be it money or time. We know this would be something Mom and Dad would appreciate. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bergmortuary.com.