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Joseph Alan Fowler
Jody Hane2021-04-17T16:22:17-05:00
- Name: Joseph Alan Fowler
- Location of Birth: Houghton, Michigan
- Date of Birth: May 20, 1915
- Date of Death: July 19, 2009 (94 years old)
- Parents:
- High School and Class:
- College: 1937 - Michigan College of Mines (Michigan Technological University)
- Highest Rank: LTC (Lieutenant Colonel)
- Branch: Army
- Other Branch:
- Date Sworn In:
- Place Sworn In:
- Date of Discharge:
- Place of Discharge:
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- Military Awards:
- Military Highlights:
Joseph served in Panama and in Europe with a Civil Affairs unit. One of his proudest accomplishments was their rescue of the villagers of Sarrguemmines, France from the caves they were hiding in after their village was destroyed.
- Wars Involved:
World War II
- MIA / POW:
- Civilian Life:
Joseph attended schools in Houghton, Michigan.
He worked in mines in South Dakota and Honduras before enlisting in the Army.
Following his discharge from the Army, he began his career in the iron mining industry in Iron River, Michigan, moving to Minnesota in 1948 where he worked for the Oliver Iron Mining Division of United States Steel. After 26 years, he moved to the coal research task force in Pennsylvania.
After retiring, he moved to Sumter, South Carolina where he enjoyed many years of golfing with the "Godfathers" at Sunset Country Club. He was a member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc., Itasca Lodge 208 of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, Shriners of North America and a charter member of the World War II National Memorial.
Good government was a passion and he was always ready for a good debate. He had served a term as Mayor of Grand Rapids, Minnesota from 1956-1957.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, daughter Nancy in 1954 and wife Betsy in 1992.
Surviving are daughters Ruth Fowler and Judith Pruner; son Edward (Janis); four grandchildren; and his best pal Maggie.
Joseph passed away at Tuomey Regional Medical Center in Sumter, South Carolina and is buried at Florence National Cemetery in Florence, South Carolina.
- Tribal Affiliation(s):
