John Fowler

John B. Fowler, 86, of Glenns Ferry, died Wednesday, June 18, 2008, at his home.

A memorial will be held at a later date and burial will be held in Bremerton, Wash.

John was born in Greenville, S.C., on June 24, 1921. He lived there until he entered the US Navy in 1939. He served on the USS West Virginia during WWII and was a Pearl Harbor survivor.

"John was a quiet man and strong in many ways," his family said. "He was proud of his time in the service for his country.'

He was a member of the Glenns Ferry VFW Post #3646.

John retired from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, in Bremerton, Wash., where he worked as a painter for 30 years. He started his own sign painting business. "John liked traveling and finding rock, which he loved to cut and facet for jewelry," his family said. "He gave them to friends and family and really enjoyed it.

"He was musically inclined and loved to play the dobro, guitar, banjo and mandolin."

John married Ruby Henslee on June 24, 1993. John and Ruby moved to Glenns Ferry in 2002.

"He enjoyed his home in Glenns Ferry and the people whom became friends with him and Ruby over the past few years," his family said. "He was a devoted husband and cared for Ruby until her death in 2004. John was loved by all who knew him. "

He is survived by: an adopted daughter, Sherry Lovel of Alaska; two sisters, Idetha Belt and Fransis Taylor of Greenville, S.C.; numerous nieces and nephews and several great-nieces and great-nephews in Greenville, S.C.; his stepchildren; Bill and Liz Lorance of Port Orchard, Wash., Will and Lou Henslee of Port Orchard, Wash., Ross and Carolyn Henslee of Glenns Ferry, David and Linda Heath of Glenns Ferry, Darrell and Shirley Lester of Castle Dale, Utah, Gary and Kathy Henslee of Kingston, Wash., and Harry Henslee of Belfair, Wash., and many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren in Washington, Idaho and Texas.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby, and three brothers.