M.L. Fowler

Marion Linwood (M.L.) Fowler, 90, of La Junta passed away with loved ones by his side on July 16, 2015 at Evergreen Gardens in La Junta. He was born on August 27, 1924 in Schell City, MO to Thomas Clark Fowler Sr. and Mollie Marie Harvey. He was the youngest of four children. His family moved to Colorado in the late 1920s and settled in Rocky Ford. He attended and graduated from Rocky Ford Schools. After graduation, he was drafted by the United States Army into the 20th Army Air Corps and served on Saipan Island during World War II in the Pacific Theater. After serving four years in the Army, he served with the Reserves until being discharged in 1949. After discharge from the Army, he returned to Rocky Ford where he received training to be a printer.


On June 8, 1946, M.L. married Mary Mae Pringle in Raton, NM and they made their home for the next 69 years in La Junta. To this union, three sons were born. He began working for La Junta Printing Co. in 1948. In 1973, they purchased the business and operated this business until his death. He enjoyed the printing profession and had a wealth of knowledge of letterpress printing.


During his life, M.L. was involved in many organizations including serving as an Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge, Grand Mason of the Masonic Lodge, President of the La Junta Lion’s Club, serving on the Board of Directors for the Koshares, Scout Master for Boy Scouts, and member of the First United Methodist Church serving as a choir member, Sunday school teacher, church board, and men’s group, etc. He was an avid reader and especially was interested in military history. He always wanted to be a pilot and was able to achieve that dream as a member of Father Fred’s Flying Friends. In this club, he took his solo flight and his private pilot’s license. He enjoyed the challenges of golfing and shared this passion with grandchildren. Recording family history through film and video captured wonderful memories of family events and he and Mary’s many travels. He and Mary greatly enjoyed traveling, with multiple vacations to Hawaii, especially Pearl Harbor, being their little slice of Heaven on earth! He will be greatly missed.


M.L. is survived by wife Mary of their La Junta home, son Robert (Diane) Fowler of La Junta and son Richard Fowler of Cheraw; grandchildren Stephany (Luke Holland) Wilson of Cheraw, Kristi (Jake) Mayo of La Junta, Heidi (Dan) Gearhart of La Junta, Josh Fowler of La Junta; Nathan (Meggie) Fowler of Ft. Collins; Megan Fowler of Hesston, KS; and 11 great-grandchildren. M.L. was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Thomas C. Fowler Jr. and Everett Fowler and sister Marjorie J. Fowler; son William (Bill) Linwood Fowler in 1975; and parents-in-law C.T. and Iliff Pringle.


Funeral services will be Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to services time.


Those wishing to do so may make memorial contributions to the Arkansas Valley Hospice Assoc., P.O. Box 408, La Junta, CO, 81050 or to the United Methodist Church, 601 San Juan Ave., La Junta direct or through the funeral home.


Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of services.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel with military honors by the Rocky Ford Rifle Team. Visitation will be prior to the service from 9 a.m. to 11.