A. Edwin Fowler Jr.

Peacefully, and surrounded by his family, Albert Edwin Fowler, Jr. passed away on October 18, 2024, at the age of 81 years old.

Edwin Fowler, known affectionately as Ed to those who knew him, was born April 12, 1943, to Albert and Ruth (Slaton) Fowler in Littlefield, TX.  He spent his formative years in Southern California where he attended military school at Army & Navy Academy in Carlsbad California.  Upon completion of high school, Edwin returned to his roots in West Texas to attend Texas Tech University where he achieved a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration, instilling a lifelong love for Texas Tech and all things Red Raider.

Ed launched his first business, Blue Chip Gifts, an investment-based retail business, cementing himself as a local entrepreneur, which would become integral to the life he created. Ed married Jane Barton on November 30, at their beautiful home in Lubbock, Texas in 1974 and passed just weeks shy of their 50th wedding anniversary. Their marriage was filled with love and stability and blessed him with the birth of his only child, Aaron Edwin, in May of 1978. Being a father was Ed’s self-proclaimed greatest achievement in his life and was paramount to the life he led.

Edwin, alongside Jane, would go on to position themselves as some of Lubbock’s finest business leaders, forging many business ventures, most notably for 30 great years as proprietors of the The Gourmet Pantry.  It is here that Edwin served the community, bringing his passion for marketing, coffee, fine foods, kitchenware and an integral place for wedding registry to the Lubbock area.

Ed continued to serve his community as a leader in the Olli Continued Education program offered through Texas Tech University and was a loyal member of the Lubbock Rotary Club as well as enjoyed his Friday Men’s Breakfast group as a continued way to socialize and contribute to those he held dear.

Throughout his many years, Edwin battled severe cancer multiple times, but his determination and will to live was the cornerstone of his life and what allowed him to persevere through the many adversities he was challenged with.  No lesson learned from Ed was greater than his desire to live each day to the fullest with integrity, compassion and love in his heart.  We should all be so blessed to live in this manner.

Ed loved to travel and experience new foods, cultures and places all over the world with his friends from over the years. He ensured that his curiosity for life and everything in it was passed to his son and on to his grandchildren, who he toted around as young tots to expose them to everything he could.

Edwin is survived by wife, Jane Fowler; son, Aaron, daughter-in-law, Nicole, and three grandchildren, Asher, Harrison and Farrah Fowler.

He is preceded in death by parents, Albert and Ruth Fowler.

Edwin’s legacy of love, laughter, and dedication will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Please join us in celebrating the remarkable life of Albert Edwin Fowler Jr., a man who never shied away from a challenge and whose love, strength, and resilience touched the lives of all who had the pleasure of knowing him and will live on through his legacy.

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