Eulogy John Fowler

Read by Kevin Fowler

Opening
-       All here today know John Fowler in some way
-       I just knew him as Dad
-       -       I’m Kevin, John’s youngest son.
-       How we all came to know him – doesn’t matter
-       Whether family, friends, colleagues – he was open and equal to all
-       Yes, we’re gathered here today to say our goodbyes
-       Also a time to share and celebrate his life with you here today

Life Events and Stories

Growing up, dad had a really eclectic mix of music – records back then – a selection spanning from The Goons, The Spinners (folk), The Carpenters, The Seekers, Jim Reeves, African music, Greek music and then LOTS of classical music – classic symphonies to some made funky 70’s style remix.
One year, parents went away on holiday – Richard was at uni and I was still at 6th Form, so they put me into boarding for a few weeks, but left me the car and house keys, So you can imagine what happened every weekend…
Well, my mates still recollect of my Dad from that period and listening to those records!

AND Maybe this is a very small representation of his life in that…. it wasn’t just one genre or one artist – OR one thing that interested him but the plurality of life that fascinated him

Passionate about D&I – Diversity and Inclusion, for opportunities for all – whoever or whatever you are, all united in faith with the love and respect of the common man

He was a man of conviction yet always respected others. He had a questioning mind, enjoyed avid discussions, speaking his mind when necessary and would respectively disagree but Have the respect for others no matter what their belief was.

My dad was a very loving and caring father. He’d have to be, to take my brother and I to music lessons, 2 hours of travel and an hour waiting.
But a much earlier memory was his brother and sisters - David, Elizabeth and Susan, & all the cousins, meeting at the farm after Xmas. They will have many memories of their brother.

Being a father is only one part of him. His life was more than that & he reached out to many people. 

He had a whole variety of experiences in his life
-       As a young man, in the 1960’s he become a local Methodist lay preacher , something he would do for another 60 years
-       He marries Maureen and joins Cadbury’s spending 4.5 yrs in Uganda.
As children, all that meant to us was looking at slide shows of safari animals. Only later in life we actually found out what he did!
-       Thereafter spent many years as HR Manager and other management roles at Cadburys in Knighton.
Again as kids, what that meant to us, was lots of free chocolate!

With another career change, he switched to vocational work, being involved with numerous charities and working as a JP for many years
He became more involved in Iona, visiting when he could, advising on projects and getting involved in local groups, which he continued to be active in for the rest of his life.

Whilst working at Age Concern he met Pauline. They get married and with a synergy between them, they unite in their charitable efforts, through the lay Chaplaincy work, supporting mental health in farming, offering guidance where needed
He relished being involved with the students, feeling connected and relevant, staying fresh and sharp.
It was also a great excuse to have a BBQ – in the epochs of Dad’s life, this was definitely known as the BBQ Period.  

Loved being with people of any age – students, colleagues, friends and of course the grand children. Indeed, he was very much delighted becoming a great-grandad, at the birth of Teddy, to Danielle, Pauline’s granddaughter.
For him age itself was never an issue. He’d lament when working at CAB when retirees would come in worrying about what to do with their lives and finding out they were a decade or more younger than him!

His faith was a key part of his life but there were times when that must have been put to the test.
-       I’m sure he called out the Lord’s name many a time when Richard and I were growing up.
-       Yet with the deaths of both Maureen and then Pauline, at such a time, he actually found great strength in his faith, that guided him through those difficult times.

Dad was passionate about bird watching and gardening. Been his hobbies forever, kept him active and interested in nature and wanting to do his bit to save the planet for our youth.
-       Indeed, only in August, he was at a favourite nature reserve for birds in Wales. An emotional trip for him, it was where Pauline and he used to visit, Llandudno that is, not the bird sanctuary.

He was a Lovely, humble man, always optimistic.
Happily telling you the latest scary medical problem with a smile – his dry sense of humour ever present
Kept pushing himself – like hot footing across town when a taxi didn’t show up –
-       Almost proudly explaining that the doctor had said
-       That given the amount of medication he’d taken to facilitate that, he should have called an ambulance!

But he was always getting up to things he probably really shouldn’t ..

Reminds me of one occasion.
-       When Dad’s emergency alarm is tripped, Sue tries to call the house but no answer
-       Fearing worst, she drive down to the house, front door locked – no answer
-       Eventually get in and cant find him.
-       Go out back garden where upon a cheery John calls down from a top of the garage roof, ‘Hello what you doing here?’
-       It transpired he decided he needed to sweep the leaves off the garage roof and had taken the emergency alarm just in case but then had in fact actually set the alarm off
-       He was subsequently banned from any further roofing work!

Very driven, proud man but latterly with a hidden frustration his body wasn’t letting him do what he wanted.
But didn’t get him down – he adapted and continued.
-       Over the years, the volume of medication stored in the kitchen cupboard started to resemble a pharmacists dispensary.

But his positivity shone through. Here’s an example – an email he sent me July last yr when he was covid positive …

Hi Kevin
Still wearing 3 layers to keep warm. Covid still positive.
Letter from Cardiology unit to increase my medication as my
Pace Maker has picked up several episodes of atrial fibrillation.
It was 2.5mg after my heart attack Now up to 10.0 mg. The Pace Maker is earning its keep to protect me from another heart attack.
….
Please order me 6 bottles of Pinot Noir from Majestic.

Dad was more than very appreciative, of those who helped and supported him over the years.
As I say, Sue, - who got the short straw by being closest family living to John – has always been an absolute star.
Sharon…. Wendy…. Sylvia… and many more… thank you all so much.


Conclusion
-       Brings me to conclude..
-       Thank you all for being here today to celebrate Dad’s life
-       To John – Dad, brother, granddad, friend, colleague, ..
-       I Salute and thank you for all that you have done
-       Thank you for being there every step of the way.
-       Thank you for your guidance, your support, and your unwavering love.
-       You are very much loved and will be very much missed
-       May you rest in peace
-       As we cherish your memories ever more