Kenneth Gene Fowles, age 86, of Delta Utah passed away on November 13, 2021 in Nephi Utah. He was born on March 6, 1935 in Delta, Utah, the second son of Vernon Henry and Helen Grace Kinney Fowles. His siblings are Robert, David (deceased), Darryl “Dirk”, LeRoy “Gus” (deceased) and Carol Thayer.
He was raised on the family farm in Sutherland where he attended grade school. His later years were spent attending school in Delta graduating from Delta High in 1953. He spent afternoons during his senior year working at a service station/mechanic shop. When no car was available he hiked the 5 ½ miles home. Following graduation he worked the summer in Nevada driving heavy equipment,
On September 28, 1953 He married Bernice Henderson in the Salt Lake Temple. They were blessed with three beloved children: Sherrie J. (Greg) Nielson, Randall (Bobette) Fowles and Lisa Christensen. After Bernice’s death he married Audrey Coshow Turner in the Jordan River Temple, and became an instant father to John Turner, Eugene (Angela) Turner, Carol (Terry) McCleery, Duff (Pam) Turner, Chad (Teresa) Turner, Gary (Julie) Turner, Stacy (Mike) McGovern, Robyn (Bill) Fifita, Alison (Thayn) Burnett, Christopher Turner and Stephanie (John) Graham. At the present time there are 64 grandchildren, 87 great grandchildren and 9 great-great grandchildren.
He spent most of his life farming. He was in the U.S. Air Force as a jet engine mechanic serving in Texas, Iceland, and Mountain Home, Idaho moving to Granger, Utah when out of the service. He then worked as a mechanic for Utah Sand and Gravel and Arnold Machinery. Though he enjoyed mechanic work he longed to farm and be around extended family. They returned to Delta and began farming. He spent the last 52 years farming. Randy has farmed alongside his Dad for the past 35 years. Ken always considered that a blessing in his life.
“A happy man is a man happy with his work”. Ken was a happy man and loved farming! He was innovative with the soil, crops, pigs, equipment and markets. He was always finding a better way to do everything. He was selling hay cubes to global markets before global marketing was a thing! Later he shifted to Ton Bales to meet market demand. To help with farm expenses he built a mechanic shop on the farm. He thrived on the challenge to fix stuff that no one else could figure out. He was always tinkering. His idea of recreation was going to the shop to fix something.
He was strong, hardworking, smart, humorous, kind hearted, loyal to family and entirely honest in all his dealings. To him the customer was always right. He would rather lose money than make someone feel cheated or not taken care of. Integrity was the keystone of his life.
For many years he served on the DMAD water board, twice as president, Sevier Water Users Board also as president. He also served for many years as a member of the Millard Drainage District #3. He served for many years with Farm Bureau in Millard County and also as a member of the state Farm Bureau Board member. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day-Saints serving many positions. He and Audrey served in the New Zealand mission. They also served for 10 years in the Manti Temple as ordinance workers.
He was preceded in death by his first wife: Bernice; his parents; brothers: David and LeRoy “Gus”; and daughter: Carol McCleery.
He will be greatly missed for his wisdom, knowledge about farming procedures, water and drainage systems. Mostly he will be missed as a beloved sibling and patriarch to our family.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 20, at 2:00 pm, at the Sutherland LDS Chapel, 2650 North 3000 West. Viewings will be held at the Sutherland LDS Church on Friday evening, 6-8 pm, and Saturday,12:30-1:40 pm, prior to the service. Friends unable to attend are also invited to view the recorded video of the service. The link will be posted with his obituary at www.nicklemortuary.com by Saturday afternoon. Burial with military rites will be in the Sutherland Cemetery.