Local musician Gene Fowler, as he is best known, has taken a new gig playing with many of his old friends up in the Gloryland Band. Eugene Melvin Fowler was born Apr. 26, 1944, and passed away Tuesday, Apr. 11, 2023.
Gene graduated from DeRidder High School back in 1964 where he played the bass drum and anvil. After high school, Gene graduated from Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in Houston, Texas.
Afterwards, he worked at Hixson Funeral Home for several years, then made a career change to become a heavy equipment operator at Boise and a mechanic. After an early retirement, Gene returned to playing music and formed the Gene Fowler Louisiana Country Combo. He and his band performed at local nursing homes, community events, American Legion, VFW, and private parties. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and fans.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Fowler; children, Mary Cunningham and husband, Kevin, Maria Ravia and husband, Phillip, Meloney Woolford and husband, James, and Melissa Metcalf and husband, Terry; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin Allen Fowler and Lottie Whitaker; and brothers, J.C. Fowler and Howard Fowler.
The family received friends from 12-2 p.m. with the funeral service following at 2 p.m., Saturday, Apr. 15, at Riley Smith & Sons Funeral Home in DeQuincy. Interment followed at Oretta Cemetery in Singer.
Arrangements were handled by Riley Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 1810 W. Fourth St., DeQuincy.
(Paid Memorial)
