Gene R. Fowler

Gene R. Fowler, 88, of Muscatine, passed away Monday, July 4, 2022, at Premier Estates in Muscatine.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Friday, July 8, at the First Christian Church in Muscatine. Visitation will be 9:30 AM to service time on Friday at the church. A luncheon will be held at the church following the service. Private interment will be at the Rock Island Arsenal National Cemetery. Nichols Belwey Funeral and Cremation Services is caring for Gene's family and arrangements.

Memorials may be left to the Gene Fowler Memorial Fund. Please share your love memories and support with Gene’s family on his Memorial Tribute site at www.NicholsBewley.com .

Gene was born August 6, 1933, in Aledo, IL, the son of Robert and Opal Fender Fowler. He married Judith K. Gilchrist Leopard on July 3, 1992, at the Little Brown Church, Nahua, IA.

He was a US Army veteran having served during the Korean Conflict. He earned his Design Engineer degree and had worked for several prominent companies over the years, including John Deere and Parr Instruments. Several patents awarded to these companies were attributable to Gene’s design work.

Gene was the past Post Commander of the Don Cherry V.F.W. Post No. 5083 in Geneseo, IL. In his later years he was an Honor Flight participant with his daughter Kim as his special escort.

He enjoyed camping, fishing with his special sidekick, Leigha, stained glass design and woodworking. He was known for his homemade rolls at Thanksgiving time. He built a playhouse 60 years ago that has stood the test of time and is still in use today.

Gene took pride in a well-manicured lawn. Everything he did was precise and pristine. He was a real perfectionist.

Gene will be missed by many. Those who will honor and cherish his memory include his wife, Judy; daughters, Kim (Bill) Bevan of Bellevue, IA and Jody (Chris) Leamen of Geneseo, IL; step-daughter, Pam Knight of Muscatine; step-son, Larry (Mandy) Leopard of Muscatine; grandchildren, Lacey(Phil) Ruden, Justin (Stacy) Bevan, Meagan Swanson-Henderson, Ben Swanson, Ethan Swanson, Miranda Krueger, Allen Leopard, Kristen Haller, Sam Leopard, Ashley Knight, Ryan Knight and Jackson Wagner; thirteen great grandchildren; and one brother, Dick (Paula) Fowler of Springdale, AR.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bob and Dwayne; sisters, Mary Lou Whittington and Wanda Evans; and step-son, Gary Leopard, Sr.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Ashley and the staff at Premier Estates.

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