Ira Hobert Fowler

Ira Hobert Fowler, 90, of Walker Rd., Morganton died Tuesday, February 19, 2008 following a period of declining health. He was born on July 24, 1917 in Grayson County, VA and was a son of the late Benard Carl Fowler and Bessie Lee Funk Fowler. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter, Wilma Jean Fowler, brothers, Ernest "Jack" Fowler, Hannibal "Hank" Fowler, and John Marvin Fowler; and by a sister, Juanita Fowler Vaughn. Mr. Fowler was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II and was a pilot in his early years. As a devoted member of Burkemont Baptist Church, he was active in prison ministries for 15 years and worked with the church youth through the R. A. boys program and coached the church R. A. basketball team.Surviving are his wife, Sharon Duckworth Fowler, of the home; his children and their spouses, Linda Fowler Leonard and J. B. Jackson, of Max Meadows, VA, Patricia Fowler Beach and her husband, Jerry, James Edward Fowler and his wife, Melvina, Michael Britt Fowler and his wife, Betty, and Keith Blaine Hodge, all of Morganton, and Summer Woods and her husband, Matthew, of Charlotte; his brother, Dr. James Spurgeon Fowler, and his wife, Maxine, of Waynesboro, VA; ten grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.The funeral will be held at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, February 23, 2008, at Burkemont Baptist Church with the Reverends David Mills, Eddy Bunton, and David Orders officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military rites conducted by the American Legion Post #234 of Valdese ceremonial team. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church 30 minutes before the funeral hour. At other times the family will be at the home of James and Melvina Fowler, 2983 Oak Forest Lane, Morganton and other times at his residence, 206 Walker Road. Memorial contributions may be made to Burkemont Baptist Church, 4668 Burkemont Rd., Morganton, NC 28655.