Our loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, Allen “Joe” Fowler, 67, passed on Wednesday, July 6, at his home, surrounded by his family, after a short battle with cancer.
Joe was born July 4, 1955, in Evanston, to Joseph Hoyt Fowler and Wilma (Billie) Marie Crawford. Joe was the third of four boys born to the couple. Joseph Hoyt passed in 1959. Wilma remarried in 1960 and welcomed the baby sister they all wanted in 1961.
Joe graduated from Evanston High School in 1972.
Joe married Julie Larene Hutchinson on July 7, 1972, and with this union they welcomed two children: Anthony Joe Fowler and Nichole Anne Fowler (Balser). They later divorced.
He married Dee Ann Forman on July 20, 1985. They were married for almost 31 years before her passing in 2016. Dee Ann brought to the marriage eight children that Joe loved and cared for like they were his own children: Ric Caves, Christina Caves, Mark Caves, Bobby Caves, Cody Caves, Michael Caves, Jamie Caves and Angelia Kessler.
Joe worked for FMC (Genesis) for 46 years. He started there at the tender age of 19 years old. He retired in 2020.
Joe loved to fish, hunt and go camping with all his family as much as possible. If someone said, “Let’s go camping,” he was already packing things up to go. Joe was one of the biggest Wyoming Cowboys football fans there ever was, being a member of the Cowboy Joe fan club for many years. He was also a member of the Lions Club, Eagles Club, Elks Club and the Evanston Boat Club, and he played on many softball teams and many bowling leagues.
He had many adventures in life, none better than being the father and grandfather to all his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He could make friends wherever he went, including a cruise he went on by himself to Alaska. You knew when he came into a room — first was his great big smile, followed by his big booming voice. If he was busy doing something and someone asked, “Watcha doing?” he would say, “Mil-doing.”
Joe was a man of honor and integrity, always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. Joe was a friend to all. He never met a stranger, and all who knew him loved him and will miss him greatly.
Joe is survived by his brothers, Tracy (Julie)Fowler and Steve (Terri) Fowler; sister, Dana Blanks; his loving children, Ric (Brenda) Caves, Cody Caves, Tony (Sherri) Fowler, Mike (Haley) Caves, Nickie (Jason) Balser, Jamie Jensen and Angie (Derrik) Hintz; grandchildren, Gentry (Vanessa) Balser, Lexie (Nathan Taylor) Balser, Daetyn Fowler, Koletyn Fowler, Braxtyn Fowler, Deric (Tenisha) Caves, Ciara (Kenni) Burns, Tanner (Destinee) Caves, Beau (Kassidy) Christiansen, Kelsi Powers, Kinsley Hints, Kora (Jace) Joyner, Hanna Hintz, Ethan Hints, Kadin Holloway, Garth (Sabrina) Jensen, Mariah Jensen, Skylee Jensen, Seth Jensen, Crystal Roberts, Christopher Caves, Erica (Derek) Higgins, Jessica Caves, Kayla Stewart, Michael Sorensen, Chase (Tyler) Caves, Destinee (Jeremiah Young) Caves, Jade (Gavin) Wagstaff, Bobee Caves and Piper Caves; and 22 great-grandchildren.
Joe was preceded in death by both parents, Joseph and Wilma (Billie); brother, Robert (Bob) Fowler; paternal grandparents, Joseph Eben and Jessie (Manwaring) Fowler; maternal grandparents, William and Alice (Knoder) Crawford; wives, Julie Hutchinson and Dee Ann Forman Fowler; father and mother-in-law, Dean and Laura Forman; sons, Bobby Caves and Mark Caves; daughter, Christina Caves; and brother-in-law, Carl Forman.
A celebration of life will be held next year, on July 8, 2023, at Allen Creek, near Cokeville. Joe will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him.
We love you bunches, Dad.
