Albert Clyle Fowler, Jr.

Mr. Albert Clyle Fowler, Jr., 81, a native of Atlanta, passed away peacefully at home with his family at his side on September 18, 2009 after suffering a battle against lung cancer. He lived his life working diligently for his family and those who worked with and for him. He gave to many charitable organizations and people in need, never wanting anything in return. Those closest to him saw the compassion and tenderness of his heart. His greatest joys were being involved in the lives of his three grandchildren and spending retirement on the island of St. Simons. He was known as Clyle to his family and Al to his friends.  Al was born in DeKalb County in 1928 and was preceded in death by his parents Albert C. Fowler, Sr. and Bessie Wood Fowler, his sister Thelma Lee Fowler, and brother Joseph Jerry Fowler. A graduate of Avondale High School and Atlanta Business School, Al served in the United States Army from 1952-1954. He was involved in the initial testing of nuclear bombs by the Army in Nevada during his military service. He worked at Frank G. Lake Lumber Company for over thirty years and was President/CEO of the company from 1972 until his retirement in 1988. During his tenure with the lumber company he was an active member of the Georgia Building Material Merchants Association and Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (SLMA). He served on the SLMA Board of Directors, often testifying before Congress to lobby for the forestry industry and preservation of our nation's forests. He was an active member of the Businessmen's Bible Class at Briarlake Baptist Church. Al is survived by his wife Kathryn Sessoms Fowler. They celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on August 20, 2009. He is also survived by his daughter, Jan Gaston and her husband Joel of Monticello; daughter Karen Ford and her husband Greg of Atlanta; three grandchildren, Kevin Gaston and his wife Candice of Jefferson, Kyle Gaston of Birmingham, Alabama, and Kathleen Ford of Atlanta; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. The service was held at Briarlake Baptist Church in Decatur on Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 3:00 pm. The family received friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Rev. Larry Sullivan and Rev. Gordon G. Copeland officiated. Interment followed the service at Floral Hills Memory Gardens, Tucker, Ga. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Al's memory to Businessmen's Bible Class, c/o Briarlake Baptist Church, 3715 LaVista Road, Decatur, Ga. 30333 or Emory Winship Cancer Institute, 1762 Clifton Road, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Ga. 30322. A. S. Turner & Sons