Jim was, above all, a devoted family man--deeply loved as a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was cherished and respected for decades as an educator, community leader, counselor, coach, mentor, and loyal friend to all who knew him.

Born February 28, 1935, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Jim was the only child of John and Cecilia Fowler. He grew up in a loving home, surrounded by family and friends who instilled in him the values of loyalty, service, and the importance of community. From an early age, Jim enjoyed the outdoors—hunting, fishing, and playing sports. He quickly distinguished himself as an exceptional athlete, excelling in tennis through Kalamazoo’s elite programs. He was nationally ranked and competed in the Boys’ 16 and 18 National Tournaments, both held in Kalamazoo.

Jim graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1952, and from Kalamazoo College in 1957. At Kalamazoo College, he was a four-year varsity athlete in both football and tennis. As captain of the 1956 tennis team, he led them to a national ranking of 24th, and he was nationally ranked in both singles and doubles. That team was also inducted into the Kalamazoo College Athletic Hall of Fame. As a multisport athlete, he quarterbacked the football team and was even invited to try out for the Washington NFL team as a punter. Jim later received a Master of Arts (Education) from the University of Michigan in 1972 and has been a lifelong Michigan Wolverine football fan.

Jim’s greatest success, however, was meeting Barbara Ann McCabe at Kalamazoo College. They were married during their senior year, on February 2nd, 1957. Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara Ann; his children, all four of whom are doctors, Jeffrey (Leslie), Daniel (Linda), Jeanne Livernois (Robert), and Christopher (Gretchen); eleven grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren. Family reunions, camping trips, education, sports, community, church, service, and hard work were always priorities for Jim. Strong in his Christian faith, he was active in the United Methodist Church, serving as a youth program director and on multiple boards supporting the church’s mission.

After graduating in 1957, Jim and Barb set out to start their lives together as teachers and community leaders in Petosky, Michigan. Jim coached football and tennis at Petoskey High School before being recruited to Flint, Michigan, in 1964 to lead the Flint Tennis Commission and became known as an incredible Ambassador for the game of tennis. He taught and coached at Flint Northwestern High School and then became Athletic Director at Flint Northern High School—known as the “Home of the State Champions”. Title IX was enacted during Jim’s tenure as AD and he fully embraced the needed programmatic changes and equal support 1935 ~ 2025

of coaches and athletes. Under his leadership, Flint Northern’s teams won ten state championships and multiple athletes achieved individual honors as state champions. During the summers, Jim was a tennis coach and teaching professional, primarily at the Flint Swim and Racquet Club. Over his career he spent countless hours on the courts teaching at all levels, running tournaments, and coaching kids in events all over the Midwest.

Jim retired early in 1984 and became a partner in the Genesee Valley Tennis Club in Flint, where he continued coaching and mentoring many future state champions and collegiate players. Later, Jim and Barbara returned to northern Michigan, settling in Glen Arbor. There, Jim ran the tennis program at The Homestead Resort, helped coach the Glen Arbor High School tennis team, and was active on the Glen Arbor Park Board and in other community initiatives.

Jim’s legacy is one of tireless community service and leadership. He received many honors, including formal recognition from the Flint and Glen Arbor Township communities. He was named “Flint’s Outstanding Educator” in 1969, inducted into the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1998, and received the Greater Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame Special Service Award in 2003. As a mentor, coach, and counselor, Jim touched countless lives during his twenty-five years in the Flint Public School system and throughout his career as a tennis coach, church member, and community leader. He was good-natured and unassuming, valuing most the success and happiness of his community and those he mentored.

Jim lived a full, productive, and joyous life. He was a Great American. Even as his health declined, he maintained his positive outlook, sharp mind, grace, and dignity to the very end. He treasured his family and the many mentors and friends who shaped his life and career. His most enduring legacy is as a role model, the example he set for all who knew him—a priceless gift that will inspire generations to come.

A memorial service will be held Saturday August 23rd, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the Mae Foley Chapel at Twin Lakes Community, Burlington, North Carolina.

If you wish to honor Jim, please consider a donation to the Twin Lakes Scholarship Fund. Scholarships promote college and technical training for children and grandchildren of Twin Lakes employees. Donations are tax deductible.

Checks can be made to: Twin Lakes Auxiliary Memo Line: Scholarship Program honoring Jim Fowler Mailing Address: Twin Lakes Auxiliary, 3701 Wade Coble Dr, Burlington NC 27215 Links: twinlakescomm.org/empowering-ourcommunity/ tinyurl.com/sr5stwyu