James Ellis Fowler, Sr. Ridgeland James Ellis Fowler, Sr., 87, died Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at his home [in Ridgeland, MS]. A Requiem Eucharist will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Saturday at St. James' Episcopal Church with burial following in Parkway Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. today and 10 a.m. Saturday in the Parish Hall of St. James' Episcopal Church. Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home on High Street is handling arrangements.

Mr. Fowler was born of June 12, 1920 in Lexington, the son of the late Earl and Lucy Fowler and graduated from Lexington High School.

After high school, he joined the U.S. Army, attending Military Officer Candidate School at Camp Davis, N.C. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and served in the European Theatre during World War II. Mr. Fowler and his unit served in the Battle of the Bulge and was later awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during battle as well as the Bronze Star for heroism and meritorious service during the campaign. Mr. Fowler also received 5 company combat Stars and the European Theatre Medal. He was honorably discharged from the Army with the rank of 1st Lieutenant.

Mr. Fowler returned to Jackson and opened a used car lot in 1947 on South State Street. He obtained the Buick Franchise from General Motors and established Fowler Buick in Jackson in 1953. Mr. Fowler added the GMC Truck Franchise in 1983 and the Pontiac Franchise in 2006. He served as the Chairman of the Board of Fowler Buick-Pontiac-GMC. Mr. Fowler served as Past President of the Mississippi Automobile Dealers Association, served on the President Council of General Motors, and the Buick Motor Division Zone Dealer Council. Mr. Fowler was also a property developer, including developing Highland Village, and numerous commercial apartments and residential subdivisions. He also served as a past president and partner of Gulfshores, Inc, a corporation with four Holiday Inns in Biloxi and Gulfport and was a past member of the International Associations of Holiday Inns.

Active in the community, Mr. Fowler served as a Past President of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Founder of Junior Achievement of Mississippi, served as a director for the Andrew Jackson Council, Boy Scouts of America, United Way, Goodwill Industries and as a Honorary Director of the YMCA. Mr Fowler was also very involved with Harbor House. Mr. Fowler was an active communicant of St. James' Episcopal Church for over 45 years. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Jamie Fowler Boyll, son, James Ellis Fowler, Jr., grandson, Jeffery Hudson and brother, Scott Fowler. Survivors include, his wife of 64 years, Frances Trull Fowler of Madison, daughter, Becky Fowler Brister and her husband, Joe of Canton, MS; 8 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Harbor House, 5354 I-55 South, Jackson, MS 39272 or to Junior Achievement of Mississippi, 1695 High Street, Jackson, MS 39202. Published in the Clarion Ledger on 8/31/2007.

Grave marker for James Ellis Fowler, Sr. in Parkway Memorial Cemetery, Ridgeland (Madison county), Mississippi.

On 9 August 44  2nd Lt Fowler was transferred from the 11th Replacement Depot to Company G, 508th PIR .

He made the jump into Holland on 17 September 1944 as an assistant platoon leader.

Lt Fowler was promoted to the rank of 1st Lt on 31 October 1944 and assumed the role of platoon leader.

On 7 January 1945, Lt Fowler was seriously wounded in action and lost a leg as a consequence.

His military decorations include the Purple Heart and the Bronze Service Arrowhead device for the Holland campaign and Airborne operations..