Obituary: W. LeRay Fowler

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W. LeRay Fowler, pastor emeritus of West University Baptist Church in Houston, died June 14. He was 92. Born Oct. 20, 1923, in Hill County, he earned undergraduate and master’s degrees from Baylor University before graduating from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. At Baylor, he met his best friend and wife of 70 years, Rosemary. As a recent Baylor graduate, he was a member of the first Youth Revival team in 1945. He was pastor of First Baptist churches in Moody, Brady, Ballinger and Sweetwater before completing the last 23 years of pastoral ministry at West University Baptist Church. On his 15th anniversary at the Houston church, the congregation named its new chapel in his honor. He was active in denominational life, serving on the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Board and the Annuity Board, and after retirement, he chaired a committee that raised millions of dollars for the Adopt an Annuitant program. He also served on the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board, the Baptist Standard board of directors, the Human Welfare Coordinating Board and the Christian Education Coordinating Board. He also was a trustee for Houston Baptist University and Baptist Memorials Ministries in San Angelo. He traveled extensively, visiting more than 90 countries and all seven continents. He loved Baylor University and established the LeRay and Rosemary Fowler Scholarship at Baylor’s Truett Theological Seminary. He is survived by his wife; son, Mark, and his wife, Brenda; son, Steve, and his wife, Kathy; four granddaughters; and six great-grandchildren.


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