Charlie Fowlkes

Charlie Fowlkes, 93, of Amarillo went to be with the Lord Saturday, May 11, 2019.

Visitation will be from 6-7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at Schooler Funeral Home Brentwood Chapel, 4100 S. Georgia St. Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 16, 2019 at Paramount Baptist Church, 3801 S. Western St. Burial will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home.

He was born on Sept. 29, 1925 in Amarillo, Texas to Robert Jasper and Vivian Grace Fowlkes. He had one brother, Dale Fowlkes. Charlie graduated Amarillo High School in 1944, then joined the Navy in the rank of Radioman 2nd Class and was stationed in Newfoundland during World War II. After his service, he attended Texas A&M University, graduating with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering in January 1950. From there, he began his 35 year career at Southwestern Public Service where he retired in 1985. He married Joan Mitchell in 1951 in Amarillo having a joint marriage ceremony with Joan’s sister Ernestine and her husband Aron Wright. Joan and Charlie had three children – Sandy, Brad and Bo. Throughout the years, they hosted many foreign exchange students from all over the world.

Charlie had many interests and hobbies including golf, wood working, furniture re-upholstering, crafts, drawing and cartooning. He and Joan enjoyed RVing after his retirement participating in several RV groups and traveling throughout the region. They would travel to various craft shows and sell products they had both produced. It was from this experience that their kids learned many of the skills and trades they enjoy today. Charlie, better known to family as “Gramps”, enjoyed his grandchildren and great grandchildren always ready to share his ice cream stash. He enjoyed producing Castle games and playing that along with Chickenfoot and Mexican Train with family and friends.

Charlie and Joan were members of West Amarillo Christian Church and he was instrumental as a liaison between Western Builders and the church leadership during the construction of the church. He also served as an Elder for the church and taught Sunday school. After Joan’s passing in 1999, Charlie moved to The Craig Retirement Community where he resided for 16 years. He moved to Heartis, then Autumn Leaves during the last 3 years of life. The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated staff that took care of him.

Charlie met Rita Johnson while residing at The Craig and they were married in 2002 until her passing in 2017. Rita had one daughter – Cindy Holderman of Amarillo and one grandson.

Charlie is survived by daughter Sandy Dunn and husband Chuck of Amarillo, Brad Fowlkes of Amarillo and Bo Fowlkes and wife Michelle of Amarillo. Also, grandchildren Neil Fowlkes, Angela Fowlkes, Leanne Dunn, Hannah Dunn, Emily Beyers and Kimberly Ford. Great grandchildren include Aubrey Dunn, Landon Hammons, Kyrie Hammons, Trinity Beyers and “Little Man” Jobe Ford. He was preceded in death by Robert Jasper and Vivian Grace Fowlkes, Dale Fowlkes, Joan Fowlkes, Rita Fowlkes and daughter in law, Barbara Fowlkes.