Fowler, James L.

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James L. Fowler, 75, of Blacksburg, died on Thursday, July 30, 2015. He was born on June 17, 1940, in Santa Barbara, Calif., to the late James E. Fowler and Marvelin Fowler of Milford, Neb.

James was raised in Nebraska and graduated from high school in Hooper, Neb., in 1958. He was the Nebraska State Tennis Champion in 1961. In 1962, he received a bachelor of science degree in engineering from the University of Nebraska. His career as a civil engineer took him to Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Georgia, before he moved to Blacksburg, Va., in 1986 to work for Hayes, Seay, Mattern & Mattern. He retired in May of 2013. James was an avid hunter and fisherman all his life, and was a passionate and skilled golfer for the past 45 years.

Surviving family include his wife of 36 years, Margaret K. Woodworth; children, J. Scott Fowler (Connie) of Omaha, Neb., Robert Woodworth (Deena) of Gainesville, Ga., Marnie Fowler of Mercedes, Texas, and Jennifer Fowler of Christiansburg, Va.; siblings, Richard Fowler (Cindy), Karen Levos (Ken), Ronald Fowler (Kathy), and David Fowler (Alice); seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Elizabeth K. Aldrich (David); and 15 nieces and nephews.

A memorial service to honor James’ life will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2015, in the chapel of John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, officiated by the Rev. Dr. Jan Fuller of Elon University. Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.