Kevin Ross Fowler, 63, of Kent, Washington, passed away Monday morning, May 27, 2024, at the Valley Medical Center, Renton, Washington, where he had been admitted the previous day. Though for over six months, Kevin had a challenging medical prognosis of pancreatic cancer, he battled valiantly to the end, refusing to give up. He enjoyed a meal at his favorite Applebee's restaurant with friend Samuel, on Saturday; before he was admitted to the hospital the following day.
Kevin was born on September 19, 1960, in Montgomery, Alabama to parents, Beverly and Carl Fowler. With his father being a career Air Force officer; in his youth, Kevin was able to experience moving with the family to several domestic and international assignments. These included Rapid City, South Dakota, Taichung Taiwan, and Selma, Alabama.
His family moved to Mesa, Arizona when his father retired from the Air Force in 1972; and a few years later to Austin, Texas; where Kevin graduated high school in 1978, and was accepted to the University of Texas which he attended. Later moving to San Jose, California; Kevin operated a small glass repair business, prior to relocating to Washington where he resided the remaining 35 years of his life.
Kevin had a love of motorcycle motocross racing from adolescence well into adulthood. When his racing days were over, for decades, he loved watching and following the sport. He also had a tremendous love for dogs and connected with them in a special way. For the last few years, since he was unable to have a dog in his group home environment, he loved to be driven to the dog park where he enjoyed just sitting in the car and watching the dogs play.
Kevin truly had a gift of connecting with people. Always a bit of a prankster, known for kidding and needling in a fun and passive way, he seemed to always keep things lively, and people smiling, no matter what environment he found himself in! Kevin had a good heart, a positive spirit, and genuinely cared about all those with whom he came into contact.
Starting as a young boy, Kevin possessed an entrepreneurial drive, and disciplined work ethic. His senior year of high school, he was awarded Business Student of the Year. He was always hustling about, holding various jobs, beginning with paper routes at a young age, a golf course attendant (where he professed to be
the Assistant Manager!), and a sales position in a motorcycle shop. He exuded the confidence to approach anyone, possessing the true personality of a 'born salesman'!
Kevin was blessed with untold potential for success in all facets of his life. Sadly, he struggled with bi-polar disorder for the bulk of his adulthood, ultimately disabling him; resulting in him making many decisions which negatively impacted the quality of his life.
Kevin was preceded in death by his mother Beverly in 2012, his father Carl, in 2020, and his younger brother Tracy, in the fall of 2022. Family survivors include sister Kathy (Bill) Butts of Gilbert, Arizona; nephew Austin Butts, Phoenix, Arizona; niece Leslie (Nate) Phillips of Silverthorne, Colorado; and nephew Carson Butts, of San Diego, California.
The family is eternally grateful for the care, support, and love which Kevin experienced at Harmony Gardens, the group home where he resided for the last four years of his life. The wonderful staff provided a stable, caring, Christian environment which Kevin had not experienced, or benefited from for many years.
Family and Friends will gather for a remembrance service at or near Kent, Washington on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at a time and location to be announced.