DR. CHARLES WESLEY FOWLER,
DDS, of Little Rock, died May 10, 2020 at Keller, Texas. Charles was 95 years old and was with family at his death.
Charles is survived by his daughter, Barbara Fowler Newsom and her husband ,Ed, of Keller, Texas and their children Chris Newsom of Keller, Texas and Michelle Newsom Irwin of North Richland Hills, Texas; his daughter Kathy Fowler Morse of Little Rock and her daughters Hannah Morse Carrithers of Maple Grove, Minn., and Sarah Morse McClure of Fayetteville, Ark. and their father Dr. Jim Morse of Little Rock; and the children of his deceased daughter Nancy Fowler Raney of Little Rock, Jessica Raney Chandler of Little Rock and Wesley Raney of Little Rock and their father Floyd Raney of Little Rock. Charles is also survived by his brother Wallace Fowler and wife Jama of Jonesboro, Ark. and his brother Danny Fowler of Nashville, Tenn. Charles was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Jeanette Simmons Fowler of Little Rock and his second wife of 10 years, Connie Panos; his brothers, Dr. Jim Fowler, DDS of Little Rock, and Glen Fowler of California; and his sister Jean Fowler Jollif, of Brookland, Ark.
Charles was born on March 2, 1925 in Brookland, Ark. (Craighead County) beginning life on a NE Arkansas cotton farm. He was a graduate of Arkansas State University. Charles served as an officer in the United States Navy during World War II.
Charles paid his way through dental school at St Louis University with part time jobs such as making charms with leftover gold from the labs and selling them on the trolley on his way to school each day. He also cooked hamburgers at a store near the dental school in exchange for his lunch. Charles’ wife Jeanette typed papers and ironed lab coats for other students to help support their family.
Charles was a renowned dentist, specializing in crown and bridge work. He practiced in Little Rock for over 50 years exemplifying his love for dentistry and his patients. He and Jeanette’s three daughters followed in their father’s footsteps and became dental hygienists. Charles had a love of gardening and yard work and was especially proud of his manicured rose bushes.
He was an entrepreneur with apartments, duplexes and commercial buildings in the UA Medical Center area of Little Rock, Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises and investments in the stock market with his friends at Stephens, Inc.
Charles was well known for his hard work and loved helping relatives and friends make successes of their lives with advice, encouragement and financial resources as needed. Charles was an instrumental figure in relocating Riverdale CC from its riverside location to become Pleasant Valley CC in west Little Rock. He loved working with the Greens Committee in making the course the beauty it is today. Highlights of his golf career include being the Senior Champion at PV in 1988, a hole-in-one at the Red Apple Country Club in Heber Springs, AR and getting to play on the Masters course in Augusta, Ga.
Charles was very active in leadership in many organizations including serving as president of the West Little Rock Rotary Club, the Arkansas State Dental Association, and Riverdale/Pleasant Valley Country Club. Charles was an active member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, serving in numerous leadership roles. Charles was a member of the UAMS Foundation Fund Board. He also served on the Little Rock School Board.
The family would like to express special appreciation to Ms. Val Alexander for her faithful service as companion and housekeeper. Critically important in Charles’ final years were his personal caregivers.
Caregivers who first have a “heart” for the elderly. We would also like to express appreciation to Charles’ lifelong friends and investment advisors at Stephen’s Inc, Bob Raney and Rita O’Kelly Stone, and to his personal accountant and trustee Kevin Freier of Erwin & Company of Little Rock for their continued support in managing Charles’ financial affairs.
In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Their address is Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. To sign the online guestbook, click “Add A Memory” at: www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.