Obituary: J.B. Fowler

J.B. Fowler, retired Texas Baptist pastor and New Mexico Baptist newspaper editor, died Aug. 21 in San Antonio. He was 88. Fowler was born July 8, 1930, in Pawhuska, Okla., to J.B. and Ona Thurman Fowler. He began preaching at age 17. He earned an undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University and a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also received an honorary doctorate from Howard Payne University. He was pastor of churches in Van, Moran, Ballinger, Kendalia and Lubbock, as well as in McComb, Miss. He served 13 years as editor of the Baptist New Mexican and was named editor emeritus when he retired. His denominational service included terms as president of the Southern Baptist Press Association, a director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board, and a trustee of Howard Payne University, William Carey College and Hendrick Memorial Hospital. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Wanda Lee Orrick Fowler. He is survived by sons Bruce of San Antonio and David of New York City; one grandson, one great-granddaughter and a sister, Betty Smith of Arlington.