Stephen Rice Fowler

Stephen Rice Fowler, surrounded by his family, went home to his Lord and Savior on July 1st, 2024, at age 71. He was a loving and loyal grandfather, father, brother, son, and uncle.

Steve was born to Edna Ward and Wilton Rice Fowler, Jr. on January 14th, 1953, in Livingston, Texas. He graduated from L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, Texas in 1971, where he played fullback and linebacker on the Blue Raider football team. He then went on to earn both a Bachelors (’75) and a PhD (’82) from Texas A&M University, where he was the intramural fencing champion on more than one occasion. He had a career in research at Texas A&M before returning to medical school to earn his MD from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. He practiced medicine as a family practitioner in Breckenridge, Texas for a number of years, where he continues to be loved, respected and admired by his many patients.

Steve was a man of many interests. He had a great love for history and riding horses, participating for many years as a member of Terry’s Texas Rangers, a Civil War re-enactment cavalry group where he was affectionately known as “Doc.” He was an avid collector of historic guns, swords and books and could talk for hours on the subjects of Texas History, the Civil War, and American History. Another favorite hobby was woodworking in his garage, where he spent many hours creating beautiful and ornate wooden crosses, shelves and other decorative pieces to give to his family and friends. He loved music and his church, serving as Deacon, Worship Leader and Bible Teacher at the Grand Prairie Congregational Methodist Church. Steve also had a deep love for nature and for animals of all kinds and as a certified Texas Master Naturalist was an expert in local wildlife and ecosystem preservation. He loved and cared for countless dogs from childhood until his last day on this Earth, when his cherished “Lucky” was by his side. But his greatest joy was his family, and he rarely missed a family birthday celebration, sporting event, holiday meal or Sunday lunch gathering. These were some of his happiest times, and his favorite name was “Poppy” to his eight grandchildren, who loved him dearly and will miss him greatly. He never missed a chance to love, encourage, play with, and be present for his grandchildren. Most importantly of all, Steve loved the Lord and was a follower of Jesus Christ, a love that his parents instilled in him at a young age and nurtured throughout his life. For this reason, his family does not “grieve as others do who have no hope” but instead rejoices and rests in the firm assurance that they will be with Steve again one glorious day.

Steve is survived by his parents, Wilton and Edna Fowler, of Hurst, Texas; his son, Jason Rice Fowler and wife, Sarah, of Ft. Worth, Texas; his daughter, Lauren Kathleen Vaden, and husband, Eric, of Boyd, Texas; his grandchildren, Hubbard, Esther, Silas, Josiah and Iris Fowler and Landrie, Nathan and Mason Vaden; his sister, Suzy Ragsdale, and husband, Jon; his sister, Pam Nabors, and husband, Mike; his first cousin, Terry Fowler, who was more like a brother; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and his beloved chihuahua, Lucky.

A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 5th at Lucas Funeral Home, 1321 Precinct Line Road, Hurst, Texas with Rev. Bernie Gerald officiating. Visitation will precede the service at 9:00 a.m. A family-only burial will immediately follow the service at Bear Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Remember the Alamo Foundation, www.thealamo.org/donate-online, 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, Texas 78205.