Loran Ray “Johnny” Fowler

OBITUARY

Loran Ray "Johnny" Fowler, 83, of Marion, Illinois, passed away at his residence on Monday, September 27, 2021. Loran was born on December 9, 1937, in Marion, the son of Clay E. and Lola May (Adkisson) Fowler. He served his country in the United States Army and was honorably discharged as Sergeant E6.

Loran married the love of his life, Carolyn Sue Followell on October 3, 1959, and together they enjoyed 60 years of marriage, until her passing on January 7, 2019. From that union, they raised two children, Steven and Allen Fowler.

He started his career in the HVAC industry in 1959 working for Comfort Heating Service, in Marion, Illinois. In 1962, he joined the Sheet Metal Workers local 268 and became a commercial sheet metal worker until 1979 when he founded Fowler Heating and Cooling. He ran the daily operations until 1996, when he then retired.

Loran's true passion was quail hunting, training bird dogs and collecting shotguns. He loved sharing his bird dog stories with his sons and grandchildren. He also loved fishing and going to Reel Foot Lake in Tennessee and catching bluegill every year with friends and family. He loved working around his farm and putting out food plots for all the animals, he was a true outdoorsman. Loran and Carol were devoted members of Scottsboro Baptist Church.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Clay and Lola May Fowler, his wife, Carolyn Fowler, and their infant son, Jeffrey Allen Fowler.

Surviving are his two sons, Steve (Shari) Fowler and Allen (Stacey) Fowler, all of Marion; his grandchildren, Katie Fowler, of Marion, Kerie (Jeni) Moore, of Marion, Krystal (Travis) Black, of Murphysboro, Nathan Pierce, of Marion, Clay Fowler, of Pinellas Park, Florida, and Jackson Fowler, of Marion; his great grandchildren, Anden Pierce, Brayden Black, Nolen Pierce, Boston Black, and Julian Moore; and his sister, Barbara Warren, of Johnston City.

A time of visitation is planned for family and friends on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, from 4:00 - 8:00 PM. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, October 7, 2021, at 11:00 AM. There will be an additional hour of visitation one hour prior to the start of the funeral. All services will be held at Binkley-Ross Funeral Home located at 1702 W. Boulevard Street, Marion, Illinois.

In lieu of customary remembrances the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to Heaven's Kitchen in Marion and may be sent to PO Box 1210 Marion, Illinois 62959 in memory of Loran.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Binkley-Ross Funeral Home under the direction of Joni Binkley-Ross and Monte Blue. 618-997-7771

A time of visitation is planned for family and friends on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, from 4:00 - 8:00 PM. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, October 7, 2021, at 11:00 AM. There will be an additional hour of visitation one hour prior to the start of the funeral. All services will be held at Binkley-Ross Funeral Home located at 1702 W. Boulevard Street, Marion, Illinois.