Ray Fowler
Obituary
Michael Ray Fowler passed away in his home on June 30, 2019, at the age of 74, with the peace and presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in his heart.
Ray was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, and spent his youth on the baseball diamonds, basketball courts, and football fields of his hometown. He graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1962. While a student at a computer programming school, he was recruited to work at Southwestern Computing Service. At the age of 21, he moved his young wife Janis and infant daughter Lori to Tulsa, Oklahoma. They welcomed their second daughter, Jodi, in 1977. Ray has been a committed father to his two daughters, providing his love, encouragement, and support at every stage of their lives.
At Southwestern Computing Service, Ray built a loyal client base as a salesman and ultimately purchased the company with two business partners. Together, they converted the company into a payroll business known as Southwestern Payroll Service, Inc. When he retired, this local business employed over thirty individuals and served over 1200 payroll clients. Ray was with the company over fifty years and was committed to providing outstanding customer service. Southwestern Payroll is currently owned by his close friend and business partner and is still thriving today.
At the age of 54, Ray married his wife, Lana. They recently celebrated their twentieth anniversary. He became like a dad to Lana’s two adult daughters, Mary and Rachel, and “Pa” to their children, Amber, Bethany, Alicia, and Kyle. Ray and Lana worked many years together at Southwestern Payroll. Throughout his career, Ray was an active member of Tulsa Executives Association and a strong supporter of local businesses. Ray was also an avid golfer and member of Cedar Ridge Country Club, where he served as club President in 1996-1997.
In their retirement, Ray and Lana enjoyed golf trips, visiting good friends in Florida, and making new friends in Harlingen, Texas. Ray always had a number of close friends, and he treasured the laughs and good times with each and every one of them. His other true passion in retirement was cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals and grilling steaks for his grandkids, Jantzen Faulkner (23), Evelyn Jayne (12), and Ben Jayne (9).
Survived by wife Lana Fowler; daughters, Lori Lyn Faulkner of Ardmore; Jodi Fowler Jayne (Andrew) of Tulsa; Mary Dement (Jimmy) of Sand Springs; Rachel Terry (Mike) of Sand Springs; first wife Janis Fowler (Tulsa); and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Albert Fowler; his mother Zona Fowler; sisters Elaine, Margaret, and Virginia; and brother James.
Memorial service 1:00 P.M. Monday, July 8, 2019, at Christ United Methodist Church, located at 3515 S. Harvard Avenue, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Reverend Bob Feist will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Scott Carter Foundation, a local foundation that raises money for pediatric cancer research, at P.O. Box 700448, Tulsa, OK 74170, or online at www.scottcarterfoundation.org.
Events
Tributes & Memories
Ray started working with me in the early 1980's. He and I were the same age and Kind of bonded from the beginning. He taught me everything I know about bookkeeping and I've been on the same job since 1979. While he patiently sat with me while I struggled, his advice was "look up at the screen once in a while" It's a sadder world without Ray. I will miss him. My condolences to his family and friends. Jane Jenkins The Jenkins Companies
Jane Jenkins
My condolences to Lana and all of Ray’s family and friends. Ray was a good man and mentor to so many people. I met Ray in 1985, I was working for a company that desperately needed the services of Southwestern Computing Service. In 1987 I needed to move to Arkansas for family. I called Ray and asked if I could come talk to him that I had an idea and some questions. I did not know until I sat down in his office that day that he was co-owner of Southwestern Computing. I pitched my idea to him and his partners. Together we opened an office in Springdale, AR. This was a dream come true for me because I was able to do what I enjoyed and help take care of my family. Ray and his partners were my friends and close Co-workers. I will always be grateful for the opportunities Ray opened the door for me. He and Lana were a God sent prayer for me. Lana sending prayers to you. I will always be grateful to Ray and Lana for their support and friendship. Rest In Peace Ray. Donna Scott
Donna Scott
I am so blessed to have learned from Ray’s leadership. He taught me the value of patience. Ray, I will have you know I still will loose every ball I have on the first 9 but I love the game and your passion for it.
Russ Hess
In 2003 I first did a phone interview with Ray, I was moving from California to Tulsa, Ok and he pretty much hired me on the spot. I worked with Ray first from 2003-2007 then again from 2008-2012. I started as a 21 year old “kid.” He used to give me such a hard time....if I answered the phone “How can I help you?” He would stop dead in his tracks, wait until I was off the phone and explain why I should never use “can” in that sentence....he said of course you CAN! So you should say, How MAY I help you! Then if I would reply to a “thank you” with “not a problem” he again would stop dead in his tracks and say, “when you say that, you are insinuating they are a problem, so you should say...You are welcome!” And goodness when it came time to reconcile to business bank statement if I didn’t make the tick marks exactly how he wanted them or use the correct highlighter color, he would let me know about it. He was such a perfectionist when writing letters as well, so when it came time for me to draft one for him I knew he would bring it back with many corrections. I remember knowing he was coming down the hall towards my office because I could hear his whistle and change jingling in his pocket. I also remember when he invited me to go to with him as his Administrative Assistant to his business luncheon...I was very proud that he picked me out of all the other employees. As I got older I realized that he was hard on me because he cared. He took so much pride in his business and he was truly setting me up for success. I have to say that it’s because of Ray Fowler that I am the business person I am today! I have thought of him almost daily since I moved from Oklahoma and I was really hoping that I would be able to see him again when I came to visit. It saddens me that I won’t be able to see him anytime soon but I’m thankful that I will be seeing him in heaven. I bet that golf course is nice and green up there for you Ray. My thoughts and love go out to his beautiful wife Lana, his daughters, grandkids and everyone that loved him. Rest In Peace Ray! Love and miss you!
Krista Simmons
Ray, I am so sorry to hear about your passing. You were an integral part of grooming me for the payroll career path I still have to this day. I will always be grateful for everything you taught me and the opportunities you provided. Sending my thoughts and love to Lana, Rachel and the rest of the Southwestern Payroll family. Love always, Gretchen
Gretchen Dobson
Thank you for the many laughs and a friendship which I treasure with all the wonderful memories.
MAX FELTON
Dear Mrs. Fowler. I was very sad to receive the news from my son, Siegmund. Ray, my son and I partnered on at least one of the Ridge Runs and enjoyed his quiet, gracious company. My wife and I were introduced to you at the Run's social events. Please accept our sincere condolences. Bennett Brown (Vancouver, Canada).
Bennett brown