Changes

​

​

==Fowler's early years==​

==Fowler's early years==​

Fowler, the younger of the two sons of Douglas Fowler and his wife, the former Abbie Marston  (1906–1976),<ref name=ssdi/> was born in [[Shreveport]], reared in Coushatta, and graduated in 1958 from Red River Senior High School, then known as Coushatta High School. Thereafter, he played [[football]] for nearby [[Northwestern State University]] (then Northwestern State College) in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]] and obtained a degree in education. He was drafted to the [[Oakland Raiders]] and then from 1960 to 1966 was an offensive tackle for the Houston Oilers. He played in four games in the 1964 season. Another north Louisiana player, Charlie Taylor. Hennigan, Sr. (1935-2017) of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden] in Webster Parish, also played for the Oilers at the time in a 7-year career from 1960 to 1966<ref>{{cite web|url=​http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/rosters.nsf/Annual/1964-hou|title=1964 Houston Oilers|publisher=Jr-sw.com|accessdate=August 21, 2019}}</ref>?

Fowler, the younger of the two sons of Douglas Fowler and his wife, the former Abbie Marston  (1906–1976),<ref name=ssdi/> was born in [[Shreveport]], reared in Coushatta, and graduated in 1958 from Red River Senior High School, then known as Coushatta High School. Thereafter, he played [[football]] for nearby [[Northwestern State University]] (then Northwestern State College) in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]] and obtained a degree in education. He was drafted to the [[Oakland Raiders]] and then from 1960 to 1966 was an offensive tackle for the Houston Oilers. He played in four games in the 1964 season. Another north Louisiana player, Charlie Taylor. Hennigan, Sr. (1935-2017) of [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden] in Webster Parish, also played for the Oilers at the time in a 7-year career from 1960 to 1966<ref>{{cite web|url=​http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/rosters.nsf/Annual/1964-hou|title=1964 Houston Oilers|publisher=Jr-sw.com|accessdate=August 21, 2019}}</ref>

==Fowler (D) v. Baker (R)==​

==Fowler (D) v. Baker (R)==​

By the time he sought to succeed his father as elections commissioner, Fowler was a 39-year-old Natchitoches businessman. He was the early favorite to win the position, considering the tendency of Louisiana voters to either reelect incumbents, particularly Democrats, or to promote the offspring of retiring politicians. His main rival in the nonpartisan blanket primary turned out to have been a previously defeated candidate for the Louisiana State Senate and the 1973 Constitutional Convention, [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[John Henry Baker]] of Franklin Parish. Baker had lost in 1972 to the Democratic attorney, [[James H. "Jim" Brown]], then of Ferriday for the District 32 seat in the state Senate. Months later, Baker was also defeated for a delegate slot on a nonpartisan ballot to the constitutional convention by then sitting Representative Lantz Womack of Winnsboro in Franklin Parish.​

By the time he sought to succeed his father as elections commissioner, Fowler was a 39-year-old Natchitoches businessman. He was the early favorite to win the position, considering the tendency of Louisiana voters to either reelect incumbents, particularly Democrats, or to promote the offspring of retiring politicians. His main rival in the nonpartisan blanket primary turned out to have been a previously defeated candidate for the Louisiana State Senate and the 1973 Constitutional Convention, [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[John Henry Baker]] of Franklin Parish. Baker had lost in 1972 to the Democratic attorney, [[James H. "Jim" Brown]], then of Ferriday for the District 32 seat in the state Senate. Months later, Baker was also defeated for a delegate slot on a nonpartisan ballot to the constitutional convention by then sitting Representative Lantz Womack of Winnsboro in Franklin Parish.​

Fowler died in a Baton Rouge hospital at the age of sixty-eight of heart failure following [[surgery]]. He was [[cremation|cremated]]. A memorial service was held at University [[United Methodist]] Church in Baton Rouge on January 29, 2009, which was also the 29th anniversary of the date of death of Fowler's father.

Fowler died in a Baton Rouge hospital at the age of sixty-eight of heart failure following [[surgery]]. He was [[cremation|cremated]]. A memorial service was held at University [[United Methodist]] Church in Baton Rouge on January 29, 2009, which was also the 29th anniversary of the date of death of Fowler's father.

Fowler was survived by three children from a previous marriage to Sue Fowler, later Sue Weaver of Natchez in Natchitoches Parish: Susannah Fowler Craig and husband Stewart, of Baton Rouge, Margaret Fowler, of [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], and John Marston Fowler and wife Jennifer, of Baton Rouge. He was also survived by his paternal uncle,  "Mutt" Fowler. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Dr. Wiley Douglas Fowler, Jr. (1938–1998), and a paternal uncle, John R. Fowler (1912–1990).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/theadvocate/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=123406013|title=Jerry M. Fowler obituary|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate]]''|accessdate=January 29, 2009}}</ref>​

Fowler was survived by three children from a previous marriage to Sue Fowler, later Sue Weaver of Natchez in Natchitoches Parish: Susannah Fowler Craig and husband Stewart, of Baton Rouge, Margaret Fowler, of [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], and John Marston Fowler and wife Jennifer, of Baton Rouge. He was also survived by his paternal uncle,  "Mutt" Fowler. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Dr. Wiley Douglas Fowler, Jr. (1938–1998), and a paternal uncle, John R. Fowler (1912–1990).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/theadvocate/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=123406013|title=Jerry M. Fowler obituary|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate]]''|accessdate=January 29, 2009}}</ref>​

 

==References==​

==References==

{{reflist}}​

{{reflist}}​

​

​