Thomas Howell Fowler, lifelong farmer and cotton ginner in Fayette County, Tenn., died May 10 after an extended illness.

He was owner of the former Fowler Gin and Warehouse, which operated in Fayette County for many years. He was a member of the Tennessee and Southern Cotton Ginners Associations, the Southern Warehouse Association, and the National Cotton Council, where he served as a warehouse delegate and served on a range of committees.

Mr. Fowler, 82, was a lifelong resident of Fayette County. He attended the University of Alabama and served in the U.S. Navy before assuming responsibility for his family's farming operations at an early age. He was active in the agricultural, political, and community activities of Fayette County for many years, serving as county commissioner for 35 years. He also served on the boards of First State Bank and Osceola Products Oil Mill. He was a founder and served on the board of Fayette Academy. He was a lifelong member of Oak Grove United Methodist Church.

He is preceded in death by his father, Festus Howell Fowler; his mother, Mattie Watkins Fowler; and his sister, Martha Frances Fowler Moore. He is survived by his wife, Sue Hall Fowler, and daughters, Susan Fowler Horton (Michael) of Memphis; Martha Fowler Eubank (Tom), also Memphis; and Jamie Fowler Sullivan (Jason) of Jackson, Tenn.; and seven grandchildren: Natalie Swenson Sullivan, Sarah Palmer Sullivan, Thomas Howell Eubank, Virginia Aldridge Horton, Louise Watkins Eubank, William Fowler Eubank, and Corinne Frances Sullivan.

The celebration of his life will be held 
Friday, May 15, at 
1:00 p.m. at 
First United Methodist Church, 
202 E South Street
, Somerville, Tenn. Visitation will be also be held at the church at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made to Fayette Cares
, P.O. Box 326, 
Somerville TN 38068, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 
P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, 
Memphis TN 38148.