of Vilonia, AR
April 10, 1941 - July 23, 2012
Gerald Fowlkes, 71, of Vilonia passed away to his heavenly home on July 23, 2012. He was at home with his family.
Born In Vilonia on April 10, 1941 he was the eldest son of the late Aaron and Lorene (Furgerson) Fowlkes. He and the love of his life Oneita Fortner went to Stillwell Oklahoma and were married on August 22, 1959. In his younger years he worked for several different places but went to work for Weaver and Bailey around 1962. While working for them he helped to build the JFK Dam that we all cross at Heber Springs. Later He and his brother Tommy started their own construction business. Then he moved on to start his own construction Business, even continuing to work after suffering a stroke in 2001. If someone would hoist him up on his dozer he would do a job just like before. He had become friends with many contractors and builders over the years. He retired in 2009 after many years of hard work.
He and his wife enjoyed attending Bluegrass Festivals and met many friends as they would travel from place to place. It was his dream to attend the festival in Kentucky this last spring but was unable to attend due to his health. But he would watch it on TV every chance he got.
Many of you will remember his determination to get out and be active riding his Golf Cart to get around. He would gather aluminum cans as a past time and would set for hours crushing them until he had enough to take for trade. So many people would help him out by bringing him cans. It was nothing to come home and someone had brought a big bag and set out by his driveway or under the big tree.
He was a charter member of the Vilonia Fire Department and on the Department for 25 years before retiring. He served on the Vilonia City Council for 13 years. He was Code Enforcement Officer and Building Inspector for the City of Vilonia for many years. He also was a part-time Police officer for the City for 5 years. He served as Constable for the Cypress Township for 18 years.
He and his family owned and operated the Midtown Cafe 1980-81. He was a member of the Vilonia Jaycees and Optimist Club and other organizations through the years. He was a Member of the Arkansas Constable Association, where he also served on the board.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Oneita (Fortner) Fowlkes. His children, Tony Lynn (Debra) Fowlkes and Sherry Renee (Alan) Lee all of Vilonia; grandchildren, Anthony Fowlkes, Justin (Amanda) Lee, Samuel Fowlkes, Nicholas Lee, and Zachary Lee; greatgrandchildren, and the joy of his day Madeline (Maddy) Renee Lee and Rylan Nicholas Lee. He is also survived by his siblings, Tommy (Brenda) Fowlkes, Freddie (Beverly) Fowlkes, Ronnie (Linda) Fowlkes, Karon (Jerry) Williams, and Johnny (Jackie) Fowlkes, and a host of nieces and nephews.
His Children went on in their careers to follow in his footsteps; Tony has his own construction Company and Sherry works with the City of Vilonia with the Court Department at Court Clerk.
Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 26, 2012 at
Center Point Free Will Baptist Church in Vilonia with the Bro. Alton Wall Officiating. Interment will follow at Vilonia Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 25, 2012, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Roller- McNutt Funeral Home in Conway.
Pallbearers will be members of the Vilonia Police Department and he will be escorted to the Cemetery by members of the Vilonia Fire Department.
The family would like to say Thank you to the team of Odyssey Hospice and Dr. Brad Tilley for their gentle and loving care during his last days. To Brother Alton Wall for your visits and spending time with Dad, to all the people that came by to visit or bring food. He had many doctors before going on to Hospice and we thank you all.
Also a special thank you to Debra his daughter in law that set with them during the week so everyone else could go to work.
The family will be at his daughter's home at 14 Cemetery Street in Vilonia.
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34 Condolence(s)
nick
Friday, July 10, 2015
Hey papa. I was laying in bed and got yo thinking about you. Haven't got on here before now but I did today and saw that mom had been leaving you messages, so I thought I would too. Not long after you left I started working for the Sheriff's office in the jail, but now I've made it to patrol. It was a long time and a lot of work, but I always thought of how proud you would be and it kept me going. I wish you could meet Ami. I think you would like her. The kids are doing good. Rylan and Madison start kindergarten next month. I should be going to the academy in september. I love you Papa. I wish you could see me when I graduate. I hope Nana will be there.
sherry
Monday, January 27, 2014
Dad,
I am late writing you again. We have all been sick with flu, broncitis and so forth. its really been bad with everyone sick. Moms birthday is Wednesday and i'm gonna take the day off and spend with her. I've not seen her much lately with all this mess. trying not to make her sick. I love you and miss you will talk later.
sherry
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Dad,
I know i am a few days late writing. This last week has been so tuff and busy. I think I have had a harder time this year than last. Mom is not doing well at all. I feel in my heart she will be coming to see you soon. I know she is having such a hard time breathing.
We had a good Christmas. All the kids came to spend the night and the four babies had a great time with Santa presents. I have new pictures of you around the house. I put a big one on the bar in the kitchen so you could help me cook. Even tho you didnt get to taste test it all.The kids really miss you. Justin got your old bow and arrows for christmas he was so excited.
We all Love you and Miss you
Sherry
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Hey Dad,
Well zack and Victoria's wedding was last weekend, it was beautiful. Now we are getting ready for Thanksgiving. Gotta work a couple days then Wednesday mom and I are gonna start cooking. Everyone will be here for lunch Thursday. Everyone is doing pretty good. I love you and will talk again next month. Miss you.
sherry
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Hey Dad,
Well time just keeps moving right along. The Holidays are on the way again, its so hard to beleive. Mom has been having a lot of blood pressure problems lately. The keep adjusting her meds trying to get it lower. I have been doing some better. I talked to Virginia the other day and i held it together. I have had serveal things the last few weeks that i sure needed to talk to you about tho. Those are the days that are so hard.
I had to get new glasses, so adjusting to those. Been working alot so been very busy. The grandbabies are doing great just growing like weeds. Well i know things are going good for you. and we are adjusting. I Love you and Miss you dearly.
sherry
Monday, September 23, 2013
Well Hello Again Dad,
Time just keeps going right on and so fast. We are all busy working on Zack and Victoria's wedding. It seems like just a few days ago we were saying it was 6 months away now is like 7 weeks. They are so happy tho. Nick and Ami are doing good. And so is Justin and Amanda. All the babies are doing good to even tho i'm gonna have to stop calling them babies they are now 2, 3, 4, and 5. they grow up so fast. We all talk about you and keep you fresh in Rylan and Maddy's mind and Madison and Mark are learning about you even tho they never knew you. Mom has been sick, i really worry about her, but she is doing better right now.
I miss you still daily, i do know that it is getting easier from time to time. Love you, talk soon.
sherry
Friday, August 23, 2013
Dad,
well you know some days it seems like only a day then others just so long. I think the hardest part is still seeing the pain in the kids eyes when we talk about you. zack was singing a song last night and broke down. But you know last Sunday we sang your favorite song Just a little talk with Jesus. we sang it loud and proud because we know that is what you are doing now but in a different way than us. Yesterday was your and mom's anniversary. She is doing pretty good. starting to have more and more pains tho. I know she misses you to deeply. I know that her time will come to and you will be back together. I do love you and miss you. its crazy to me how little things will start the tears. seeing things in the store that we bought for you to eat or drink. a simple styrofoam cup setting on the cabinet top at moms like yours use to do. reminds us of the memories. I have a picture of you know in my kitchen so you can watch me cook like you use to at the holidays. I just look up there and see ya watching me, but i also can see your face every day. till next time, Love you
sherry
Friday, July 26, 2013
Dad,
well this has been a rough week, i know i didn't write you tuesday which was the anniversary of your passing, but i just couldn't do it. Today is the mark of the last time i saw you in your earthly body to tell you goodbye. i just can't believe that a year has gone by since i saw you. Mom and i spent the day together tuesday afternoon. She doest pretty good most of the time, but nights are really hard on her. She says the days are ok with deb being there with her. There has been so many times that i needed to ask you something or just talk to you. but then i remember your gone to be with the Lord. I know you are having a great time. I do Love you so much and miss you greatly.
sherry
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
well dad here we are again getting close to another month. Sunday was fathers day and that was a really hard day for many reasons. First was having the day without you here. I did along with Alan talked about many memories we have of you. Then to find in the early hours that morning that Barbara Goff had passed away from an car accident. Then later that day to find that Craig had passed also. We know that they are now there with you and our other loved ones. Alan is having a really rough time with just so many unanswered questions. It is just heart breaking to know what those kids are going thru. I know how much my heart aches from looseing you for them to loose both parents and so young in their life. I love you dad and miss you so dearly. Rylan's birthday is Friday can't believe he is gonna be 3. He talks about his papa from time to time. For sure when he sneezes cause i say oh that was a papa sneeze and he says yeah papa sneeze...
sherry
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Dad,
oh daddy i just cant get over how hard this is...i tell myself that it will get easier, i don't know about that. Tomorrow will be 10 months since you left, i run into people all the time that want to say how much they loved you and what a great man you were, i usually say you don't even know how great he was. We are taking mom camping again next week. she has been doing pretty good but getting weaker. Dr Tilley came last night to check on her. Everyone else is doing pretty good, Maddy and Rylan talk about you often. Rylan just had a bad cough and we told him he sounded like you when he coughed. So he got to where when he would cough he would just laugh and say " I papa coughed" They talk about you being with Jesus and being all better. For that i do get comfort. I Love you and miss you deeply.
sherry
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Dad,
It is now May. We took mom camping this last weekend to get her out of the house. The weather was aweful but it did mom good to get out. She is gonna go with us for a week in June. She is not doing as good as she was. I see her getting more sick. She is really having trouble breathing. I am not looking forward to my birthday tomorrow. I still really have a hard time from day to day. I just wish you were here to talk to at times. But i try not to think that way cause i know you are having a blast walking and talking and doing things. I love you so much and miss you dearly. I'll talk again later.
sherry
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
dad,
i don't know why but my last post to you didn't post. I had wished you a happy birthday and talked about how hard that day was. I hoped that your first birthday in heaven was awesome.
sherry
Saturday, March 23, 2013
oh Dad today is just one of those really hard days. I just don't think it is gonna get easier. There is just so much sickness an death going ln all around. We are trying to stay busy and keep on going. we know that is what you want us to do. Nick got married again, we now have 2 new grandbabies, Madison and Mark. she is 3 and he is 18 months. you would just love them and their mom is ami. She and nick seem to be doing very well. and Zack is gonnan get married in November. They are having a big wedding. We sure miss your smile when we you see the kids doing good. well miss you still so deeply and love you more than i ever did. if we only could go back and do things different.
sherry
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Dad,
Seven months and some days are still just so hard. Today as I was driving to town to get groceries in my mind i was reliving some of the last days we had together. You said something to me just before you went to sleep the last time and i didn't understand you. I try to replay it and figure out what it was. I just can't. I do miss you and being able to get your opinion of things. Rylan and Maddy are sick, they have had strep but now have have the flu. I have been home with them all week. Mom is doing pretty good, I have talked to her on the phone trying to keep from her getting sick. She misses you alot too, we cry together sometimes. Dad I love you so much and will always miss you.
Sherry Lee
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Dad,
Hey, well i just can't even begin to realize just how fast the last 6 months has gone. We have have been very busy tho. Kids sick, we have had bad weather again, just seems like every day is a whirl wind. Mom is doing pretty good. The kids are so cute they will say Papa in th sky, he lives with Jesus, Rylan says you live with Baby Jesus. They like to go down to the cemetery and talk to you too. Just wanted to say a few words and say how much I miss you and Love you.
sherry
Friday, December 28, 2012
Dad,
It started snowing on Christmas Day. We ended up with about 6 inches by the time it stopped.
The kids were so excited. Well today it is still on the ground. We were talking yesterday how you use to say if it stayed on the ground for 3 days it was preparing for the next one. So I guess another one is on the way. The trees are just beautiful. A touch of God's handy work. Well just want to tell you about the big snow of Christmas 2012. Love you
Sherry Lee
Monday, December 24, 2012
Dad,
Well here we are again. Mom and I went to the Cemetery Yesterday, We had some bad winds that had blown your flowers away, but we got them fixed again. Its really been tough around here this last week, getting things ready for Christmas. I stood outside the other night looking at the Christmas lights and remembering how last year you sat for hours watching them dance and twinkle. We do miss you but i want to wish you a very merry Christmas its your first one in Heaven. Do tell all the family there we love them and miss them and will see them again someday. Love you and miss you dearly..
Sherry Lee
Monday, November 26, 2012
Dad,
Well another month has slipped away. We just had Thanksgiving. Mom and I spent a lot of time together. As we were cooking tuesday and wednesday, we laughed and we cryed, thinking about things you liked or comments that you would make. As everyone got there thursday it was so different you not being there. Everyone is doing pretty good tho. Tony and Deb went on a trip to Utah, they saw some awesome beauty while they were gone. Mom went to the Fowlkes get together, that was real tough for all of us too. Missing you in so many ways but we know that you are just fine where you are and having even began to do all the things that await. Love you with all my heart.
Sherry Lee
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Dad,
Here we are again another month later. I can't say that it is any easier now matter of fact at times its harder. But i get my comfort in knowing that you are in Heaven and having a wonderful time. See Grandmother and Granddaddy and many other loved ones that have gone on. We we have another trip planned for mom. Gonna take her to a cabin on the lake for a couple days. Thanksgiving is coming up, its time like that, that make it so hard. Miss you and remember you daily.
Sherry Lee
Monday, September 24, 2012
Dad,
Another month has already slipped by. We took mom camping and to get away for a bit. She has been doing pretty good. Its been really tough without you. We really do miss you. Everyone says that time will make it easier, but it may take a while. Its hard to fully realize that your not there when we need those questions answered, or need your opinion. Love You
Sherry Lee
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Dad, I can't believe a month has already passed. I do miss you so bad. You were such a great father and I love you so much. I will make sure your great grandchildren and even further down the line, know you as the great man you were. I will show Rylan and Maddy pictures to help them remember you and pass on stories that we have shared. I will some day see you again on the other side. Mom is doing good, we are taking good care of her. Love you and miss you.
karen arnett mckee
Thursday, July 26, 2012
There is no possible way to express my feelings . Gerald is my hero . He was a man with a mission an wouldn't stop or give up ,til he could say mission accomplished. I am forever grateful for all the things he took the time to teach me , I am honored to have worked for him my whole adult life, I pray that all of you are being strong and have peace in your heart thru this great loss. My heart goes out to you all. I love Gerald , He was my mentor. He is living on in this world thru all of us. I thank god for gerald and i miss him terrably. The world lost the best man ive ever known..
Tom and Brenda Mathis
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
May you all find comfort in knowing that others share in your loss.
jim&Betty Freeman
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family . Kept your eyes on the Lord and he will see you through. God bless. Jim & Betty Freeman
Donna Thorpe
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I was so saddened to hear of the passing of Gerald. He was a very special man. I met him thru the Arkansas Constables Association. May God wrap his arms around each of your during this time of grief. My prayers are with his family.
Zack and Amanda Cooley
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Philip and Rosemary Doyle
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
We were so saddened to hear of Gerald's passing. He was always such a good guy and ready to help any time. He will be missed. May God be with you in your loss.
Jerry and Janice Burlison
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with your Family
Lori Hensley-Camp
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
i am very sorry for your loss. I have so many fond memories of Gerald throughout my entire childhood. He was always so good to me. He saved my life when I was just a little girl and he will forever be remembered fondly. I'm so very sorry to the family.
Butch Martin
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
My prayers to the Fowlkes family, Gerald was a good man who was always there to help. He will be greatly missed
Jacke and Pam Lawrence
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Sherry and family,
We thought a very lot of your dad. He will be remembered very fondly. Praying for your comfort.
Doris Hoffman Hutchins
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
As the Odyssey Hospice Social Worker and family friend, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of Gerald's final months with us. Our families go way back. Wishing each of you peace and comfort as you mourn this special man.
Richie & Annette (Robinson) Leach
Monday, July 23, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Gerald's family. May God bless and comfort you as only He can.
Vicki and Greg Ussery
Monday, July 23, 2012
Sherry, So sorry to here of your Dad,s passing.Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.