Obituary for Karl W. Fowlkes
Karl Winfred Fowlkes was born on March 19, 1943 to the union of the late Earnest and Lottie Wynn Fowlkes. He was the seventh born of 11 children and was a joyous addition to the growing family where he attended church and gave his life to Christ at an early age. He graduated from Luther H. Foster High School where he was a good student.
After high school he went to Los Angeles, CA to live with his brother, Oscar Fowlkes and his family. He attended Los Angeles Junior College and then enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving as an E-5 Medic Surgeon Assistant during the Vietnam & Korean Wars. He received an honorable discharge after serving his allocated time, and then enrolled in California State University Northridge while serving in the U.S. Army Reserve.
After graduating from Northridge with his BS, he received his Master’s Degree in Social Work from UCLA. It was at this time that he met the love of his life, Toni Long. They enjoyed over 36 years together driving up and down the California coast in his little Triumph car, enjoying the beauty of God’s nature, captured through his photo lens.
After receiving his Master of Social Welfare from UCLA in 1976, Karl worked for the both the State of California and the County of Los Angeles where he was an Administrator for the Santa Monica West Mental Health Center. After retiring at age 58, he taught social work policy at UCLA for approximately three semesters.
During all of his employment and retirement years, Karl had a real heart for youth and giving back to the community. He worked as a consultant with group homes helping at-risk youth in the foster care system.
Karl was comfortable in his own skin. He really knew who he was, and had a real sense of himself. He had a kind and generous spirit who didn’t see people in categories. He enjoyed life and could always find a way to see humor in almost all situations, making those around him laugh or smile. He loved photography, nature, gardening, exercising, traveling and sports – particularly anything related to UCLA!
He is survived by his immediate family…. Marie & Charles Alex, James & Shirley Fowlkes, Jean & Calvin Bridgeforth, Della & Wilfredo Rivera, Waverly & Margaret Fowlkes, Joyce & William Campbell, Sereda Fowlkes & Alma Fowlkes. Oscar, Clinette & Elnora precede him in death. Additionally, there are countless nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends who will fondly remember Karl as someone who truly enjoyed life to the fullest.
Funeral Services Saturday, March 5, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at New Bethel Baptist Church, Crewe with interment in the Fowlkes Family Cemetery, Crewe.
W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home of Blackstone in charge of arrangements.
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After high school he went to Los Angeles, CA to live with his brother, Oscar Fowlkes and his family. He attended Los Angeles Junior College and then enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving as an E-5 Medic Surgeon Assistant during the Vietnam & Korean Wars. He received an honorable discharge after serving his allocated time, and then enrolled in California State University Northridge while serving in the U.S. Army Reserve.
After graduating from Northridge with his BS, he received his Master’s Degree in Social Work from UCLA. It was at this time that he met the love of his life, Toni Long. They enjoyed over 36 years together driving up and down the California coast in his little Triumph car, enjoying the beauty of God’s nature, captured through his photo lens.
After receiving his Master of Social Welfare from UCLA in 1976, Karl worked for the both the State of California and the County of Los Angeles where he was an Administrator for the Santa Monica West Mental Health Center. After retiring at age 58, he taught social work policy at UCLA for approximately three semesters.
During all of his employment and retirement years, Karl had a real heart for youth and giving back to the community. He worked as a consultant with group homes helping at-risk youth in the foster care system.
Karl was comfortable in his own skin. He really knew who he was, and had a real sense of himself. He had a kind and generous spirit who didn’t see people in categories. He enjoyed life and could always find a way to see humor in almost all situations, making those around him laugh or smile. He loved photography, nature, gardening, exercising, traveling and sports – particularly anything related to UCLA!
He is survived by his immediate family…. Marie & Charles Alex, James & Shirley Fowlkes, Jean & Calvin Bridgeforth, Della & Wilfredo Rivera, Waverly & Margaret Fowlkes, Joyce & William Campbell, Sereda Fowlkes & Alma Fowlkes. Oscar, Clinette & Elnora precede him in death. Additionally, there are countless nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends who will fondly remember Karl as someone who truly enjoyed life to the fullest.
Funeral Services Saturday, March 5, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at New Bethel Baptist Church, Crewe with interment in the Fowlkes Family Cemetery, Crewe.
W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home of Blackstone in charge of arrangements.
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