07/21/2026
He was such a kind and gentle soul, we will miss him terribly.
Paul Wray Fowler, 92, of Moberly, Missouri, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, July 18, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.
Born on September 21, 1933, in Syracuse, Missouri, Paul was the son of Harrison and Naomi (Gulick) Fowler. From an early age, he developed a love for sports, family, and hard work—qualities that would define his life for more than nine decades.
As a young man, Paul excelled on the basketball court, playing for Syracuse, Otterville, and Tipton High Schools, where he earned recognition during his senior year. He also enjoyed fast-pitch softball, bowling, golf, and fishing, passions he carried throughout his life.
Paul proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1953 to 1961, attaining the rank of Boiler Technician Second Class. During his service, he participated in Operation Wigwam, a historic U.S. Navy operation in the Pacific Ocean, and earned the National Defense Service Medal, China Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. His military service remained a source of quiet pride throughout his life.
On April 5, 1953, Paul married the love of his life, Arreta Violet Friedly. Together they shared more than seventy years of marriage, building a life centered on faith, family, laughter, and unwavering devotion to one another. Their home was always a place where family gathered, grandchildren played, and friends quickly became family.
Following his military service, Paul worked briefly with family before beginning a trucking career hauling feed and turkeys throughout Missouri. In 1968, he moved his family to Moberly to begin a career with Banquet Foods, where his leadership and work ethic led him to plant management positions in Moberly and Milan, Missouri. His career concluded with ConAgra in Clinton, Arkansas, where he retired on March 15, 1996, after more than three decades with Banquet Foods and ConAgra. Retirement never slowed him down. He enjoyed selling cars alongside his close friend Joe Lee, where a day at work often included time on the golf course.
Paul found joy in life's simple pleasures. He was an avid golfer, loved fishing, and enjoyed deer hunting—often joking that hunting meant sitting comfortably in his truck with a cup of coffee while waiting patiently. He rarely missed watching a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game and remained a loyal Missouri Tigers fan.
More than anything else, Paul loved his family.
He faithfully followed the lives of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Whether it was basketball, baseball, football, wrestling, gymnastics, or simply the challenges of everyday life, Paul always wanted to know how they were doing—not whether they won. Even during his final weeks, he remained deeply engaged, asking about each family member, their work, their activities, and the things happening in their lives.
Those who knew Paul remember a man who made friends easily, treated people with kindness and respect, and genuinely cared about others. He had a gift for making lifelong friendships, and many of those friends became like family. Even decades after high school, lifelong friends still greeted him by the nicknames they had given him as a young athlete—a testament to the lasting impression he left on everyone he met.
Paul is survived by his children, Kenneth Wray Fowler (Danah), Pamela Kay Knaebel (Alan), and Gary Michael Fowler (Gina); 13 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends whose lives he touched.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Arreta Violet Fowler; his parents, Harrison and Naomi Fowler; granddaughter Susan Marie Knaebel; great-grandson Hagan Allen Mattox; and his brothers and sisters.
Paul's greatest legacy was not found in his military service, career, or accomplishments, but in the family he loved so deeply. His steady presence, genuine interest in the lives of others, quiet sense of humor, and unwavering love for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will continue to be felt for generations to come.
The family finds comfort in knowing that after more than seventy years of marriage, Paul has been reunited with the love of his life, Arreta.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
A memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday, August 4 2026, beginning at 11:00 a.m., with a visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. ~ 11:00 a.m., at Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel. Inurnment will be at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, MO.
Local arrangements are under the direction of Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel, 411 Union Avenue, Moberly, MO 65270 (660)263-7284. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.pathwaymemorial.com.
