James Charles Fowler

James Charles Fowler, age 88, of Edwardsville, passed away on Wednesday, June 25th at his home with his wife Lisa by his side. Jim was born September 20, 1936, in St. Louis, Missouri the son of the late Charles and Moneta (Hoeber) Fowler. Jim is survived by his wife Lisa Fowler; two sons Greg Fowler & wife Candy of  Glen Carbon, Charles Fowler & wife Jennifer of Edwardsville; daughter, Deborah Fowler of Edwardsville;  seven grandchildren, Lucas Weatherford, Jonathan (Claire) Fowler, James (Kaitlin) Fowler, Shelton & Teagan Troxtell, Shana (Kyle) Carrico, Mandy (Destin) Kayser; step granddaughter, Kelly Ward; six great grandchildren, Jett & Jonah Fowler, Maylee & Callen Kayser, Russell & Benjamin Carrico; sister-in-law, Barbara (Brent) Wohlford; brother-in-law, Jim (Debbie) Hair; and many nieces & nephews. He was preceded by his parents, sister, Shirley Hudson, stepdaughter, Ashley Stewart and brother-in-law James Hudson.

Jim graduated from Centralia High School, he started working at age 17 for the Fowler Company, a family company started by his grandfather in St. Louis and eventually owned by his father, in Centralia, IL.  Jim moved to Edwardsville and started JF Incorporated (mechanical and electrical contracting) in 1969, which was later renamed JF Electric.  He was the president of JF Electric until his oldest son, Greg, took that position in 2004.  Jim remained as CEO of JF Electric until 2022, when Greg’s oldest son, Jonathan, became president and Greg took over as CEO.

Jim Fowler became a Licensed plumber in 1958, a license he actively held for well over 50 years.  He was a member of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and received the Veteran Membership Award in 2008, also receiving the Illinois Chapter NECA Unsung Hero Award in 2000. Jim served on the board of directors for the SIUE Foundation from 1995 to 2014. He was a huge supporter of the SIUE Foundation and the founder of the James C. Fowler School of Engineering and School of Business Scholarships and was benefactor of the Fowler Family Reception Lounge at Birger Hall at SIUE.  He was a IBEW Local 309 Contractor Trustee from 1978 to 2001.  He was an amazing businessman and boss and had the respect of all his employees.  He will be truly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.  He loved his family most of all.

A celebration of life will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at Sunset Hills Country Club in Edwardsville. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to the SIUE Foundation in care of Weber & Rodney Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed online at weberfuneralhome.com.

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