James Victor Fowler died on Sunday, May 16, 2021, at age 83, at his home in Lansing, MI. Jim and his twin brother, John, were born in Detroit, MI to Victor and Eleanor (Wilson) Fowler.
Jim was a proud graduate of Catholic Central High School, and served in the United States Air Force and National Guard before graduating from the University of Detroit in 1964. During college, Jim worked as a casualty claims supervisor for Allstate Insurance Company, and then for the insurance marketing division of Ford Motor Credit. Jim completed his law degree at the Detroit College of Law in 1973, became a member of the Bar Association, and was a successful, self-employed attorney until his retirement. Post-retirement, he enjoyed a variety of jobs, driving cars, and substitute teaching high school classes.
Jim was an avid lover of baseball, playing and coaching most of his life, including coaching his children and others through Chelsea’s (MI) Community Education Program. He coached the winners of the Recreation League Class B Championship at McCabe Field in 1953 (Twin Pines Team); he played at the Senior Games in Utah, and his last games were played on the beaches of Corpus Christi, TX at age 76. Jim also loved dogs, cars, going to car shows, car races, bowling, movies, ice cream, telling jokes, taking photos of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders with his brother, and reading the newspaper while outdoors. He was an exceptional father and friend, and he will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his son, Mike Fowler, and daughter, Kate (Robert) Fletcher; grandchildren, Kristen Horn and Curtis (Kayla) Fletcher; and three great-granddaughters, Aubrie, Brooklyn, and Mia. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his twin brother, John, and his beloved son, Joe.
Jim will be cremated and then laid to rest with his son, Joe, at a graveside service scheduled on Saturday, July 17, 2021, 11:00 a.m., at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Chelsea, MI. Funeral directors are following current Michigan Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for COVID-19; those attending will be instructed accordingly and social distancing procedures must be followed.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Ann Arbor VA Hospital or to the family.
