James "Jimmy" Harold Fowlkes' Obituary
On Thursday, August 24th, Jimmy Fowlkes lost his hard-fought battle with cancer. Growing up in Memphis, Jimmy attended Central High School followed by Memphis State University. An avid MSU fan, Jimmy spent many years in the stands cheering on (and coaching from afar) the Tigers. As his grandkids grew, he brought that same passion and competitive spirit to the baseball fields and gymnastics arena, encouraging and cheering them with the occasional side comment for an umpire or judge. When he wasn’t at the fields, Jimmy loved the game of golf and his many trips with The Partakers. His golf buddies were an integral part of his life and continued loving and supporting him long after he was unable to join them on the course.
Jimmy spent the majority of his career (35 years) with Ford Motor Company as a Regional Special Marketing Manager. He remained close with many of his colleagues throughout his life and enjoyed sharing the many stories of his experiences, sometimes in great detail, with all of us.
“Peeps” love for his family was undeniable. Though he is physically gone, his fierce loyalty has left a long-lasting impact on us all and we will strive to uphold his legacy.
He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Mayfair and Otha Fowlkes, as well as his brother, Cecil (Sally Taylor Fowkes). Jimmy also lost his first wife to cancer, Tootie Childs Fowlkes in 2003.
Jimmy is survived by his wife of 16 years, Jackie Wright Fowlkes, and his children, Todd and Vickie Ogden Fowlkes, and Tiffany and Randy Alden. Additionally, he will be missed by his grandchildren, Jordan, Justin (Hannah Adams) and Jarret Fowlkes, Hallie and Griffin Gillam, Cooper Maddox and Molly Maddox.
Funeral Services for Mr. Fowlkes will be held on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at 1:00pm in the Riverside Chapel at Memorial Park Funeral Home. The family will receive friends for visitation an hour prior to the service starting at 12:00pm. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.
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