Wes Fowler

Charles Wesley Fowler, “Wes” to all who knew him, died on August 19th, 2017 at Pickwick Lake, from heart complications after wake surfing. He was surrounded by friends and the love of his life, Mary Thompson while participating in one of the many adventurous activities for which he had so much passion and excitement. Wes was an avid snow skier, scuba diver, kite surfer and wake surfer and loved to push life to the limit. He had a zest for life and new experiences that few could match, and was never afraid of any challenge. Wes was a unique individual, always wanting to know the “Why?” of things, so much so that he constantly challenged and inspired all who knew him to think for themselves, to not accept something simply because most (or even all) people said it was so.

Wes was raised in Haywood County, Tennessee. He attended Haywood High School, graduating in the top ten of his class in 1989, and attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in 1993 in Aeronautical Studies. Wes earned his Juris Doctorate in 1997 from The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis. While in law school he was a member of the Law Review, Moot Court Board, and the school’s National Moot Court Competition Team. In 1995, Wes was selected as the Best Oral Advocate in the First Year Moot Court Competition, and given the Best Oral Advocate Award in 1997 for the Advanced Mock Trial Competition. Wes was also the Mock Trial Champion in 1997. Wes loved the U.S. Constitution so much that he taught Constitutional Law as an adjunct faculty member at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University from 2006 through 2008. In 2015, 2016 and 2017, Wes was selected as a “Super Lawyer” by his peers.

Wes formed The Fowler Law Firm, PLLC in  August 2008  after spending eleven years with prestigious Memphis law firms Glankler Brown, PLLC and Gary K, where he continued to practice law until his untimely death. Wes liked to say “In my practice I try and treat every client as if they were my father, mother or sister. I don’t give any advice to any client that I wouldn’t give to my own family.” Wes had a brilliant mind, a quick wit and practiced law as a true gentleman. Wes wasn’t just a great lawyer. Above all else, he valued his friendships immensely and he chose them carefully. Friends say that he was the most loyal person they had ever known. Most importantly, he made sure that his friends knew that he loved them. His departure from this life leaves a space that can never be filled. He made the world a much more interesting place and will be missed dearly.

He was preceded in death by his Grandparents Claude and Velma(Helms) Fowler and David and Okie (Conrad) Glissen. He is survived by the love of his life, Mary Thompson of Memphis, TN, his parents Charles R. Fowler and Martha J.(Glissen) Fowler of Brownsville, TN, sister Kristi E. (Fowler) Snowden, her husband Jim, and niece and nephew Julia and Caleb Snowden of Stanton, TN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at Lea and Simmons Funeral Home in Brownsville, TN, with funeral services being held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, August 23, 2017, at Lea and Simmons Funeral Home in Brownsville, TN. Burial will follow in Brownsville Memorial Gardens. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, Texas 75284-0692, Memphis Area Legal Services, 22 N. Front St., Ste. 1100, Memphis, TN, 38103-2115, Hannah’s Hope, 5676 Stage Rd., Memphis, TN 38134 or The Cecil C. Humphrey’s School of Law for the benefit of the Moot Court Board, 1 N. Front St., Memphis, TN 38103. Lea and Simmons Funeral Home, 731-772-8880