Will Doc Fowlkes, Sr.

Will Doc Fowlkes Sr., 89 of Decatur, GA, died Tuesday, Feb.24, 2015. He was an active suporter of Decatur sports and the Decatur community. He was born Oct. 3, 1925 in Dyersburg, TN. He was the son of Daniel Roy and Mary Banks Fowlkes. He graduated from Dyersburg High School in 1943. At 17 he joined the Navy Air Corps where he began training to become a pilot. His training was cut short by the end of the war. Doc then came to Atlanta to attend Georgia Tech where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He majored in Industrial Management and graduated in 1948. After graduating from Tech, Doc began his career in Industrial Management with Montgomery Ward in Baltimore, Maryland. He then worked at the International Correspondence School and the International Textbook Company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He returned to Atlanta in 1956 and worked in management for Atlanta Paper Company, which became Mead Packaging Company, until he retired in 1983. While at Georgia Tech, he met and married Gwendolyn Rice. They had 5 children, W.D.Jr.(Buddy), Lynne, Eddie, David and Jimmy. While the children were growing up in Decatur, Doc was very involved in the Decatur Community. He was an avid supporter of all youth sports. He coached youth baseball at several local parks - Glennwood Hills, Oakhurst, McKoy, and Medlock and was active in the youth baseball parent association. He helped start the Decatur High Booster Club. After his children graduated from high school, he and Gwen continued to support the Decatur athletic program. Doc's influence and love of sports can be seen in his children. Buddy played baseball and football at Decatur High, and later started Sportstech. Lynne, who passed away in 2004, was a cheerleader at DHS, Eddie played baseball at DHS, taught and coached baseball and cross country there for 25 years. David played baseball and basketball at DHS, was drafted by the Cleveland Indians, played basketball at West Georgia College and was head baseball coach there for 27 years. Jimmy played baseball and basketball at DHS and baseball at Georgia State, has coached and gives baseball lessons. Doc joined Buddy and Jimmy at Sportstech coaching girls softball. Doc, helped organize a Senior softball program in Dekalb County and played for10 years. Doc and Gwen were present at any game their kids were involved in as players or coaches in and in recent years, they have faithfully attended Decatur athletic events. In addition to Decatur Sports, Doc was very involved in the Decatur Community. He was active in several capacities at Decatur First United Methodist Church and Avondale Pattillo UMC. He was elected as a Decatur City Commissioner and served for 2 years. Recently, he was a regular volunteer tutor at Renfroe Middle School. Doc died doing what he loved. He was in his regular seat at the State quarter finals girls basketball game at the Decatur High Gym. He was cheering enthusiastically when he complained to Gwen that he had a terrible pain in his back and passed out. Despite valiant efforts by the Decatur Staff, others present and the Decatur emergency team he was not able to be revived. He is survived by his wife, Gwen and 4 sons: Buddy, Eddie (Anne), David (Lisa) and Jimmy (Ellena), 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 2:00 pm at Avondale Pattillo United Methodist Church. Visitation will be in the church narthex at 1:00 pm. There will be a reception following the service. In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Decatur Bulldog Boosters, PO box 3241 Decatur, GA, 30031 (please put Fowlkes in the memo line) or to Avondale Pattillo UMC 3260 Covington Highway, Decatur, GA. 30032.

Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033