Community Corner
Remembering Jim Fowler
Potomac West Business Association member was integral in making Turkey Trot, Art on the Avenue successful
The Del Ray community recently lost Jim Fowler, a key figure in the days of the Potomac West Business Association.
Fowler, whose cause of death was listed as stroke, was living at Woodbine Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Alexandria. He was 72.
“Jim Fowler was one of those rare people that never said no to anyone or any group that needed help,” said Gayle Reuter, an officer with the Del Ray Business Association. “Not only was he always there for those that needed him but somehow he always was so happy and always had a smile.”
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Fowler made his career in public relations and business development. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service, Sears Tire Group and National Tire Warehouse. In 2000, he became the business development manager of Waterford Public Relations. A year later, he founded a small business consulting company called the CFJ Group.
He served as vice president of the PWBA, an early incarnation of the DRBA, and was integral in making the annual Turkey Trot a success and in promoting Art on the Avenue.
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“He was one of those people who did just about anything to help the community,” said Nora Partlow, owner of St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, which was the site of many PWBA meetings.
Fowler was also an active member of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce and frequently represented the organization in front of City Council.
Beyond serving the city’s business community, Fowler was active at Blessed Sacrament Church and even volunteered his services to work on national political campaigns for Robert F. Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey and numerous local campaigns in Alexandria.
Fowler was slowed by a stroke in 2004, but returned to serve as Grand Marshal of the Turkey Trot in 2008.
“After his stroke, it had been years since he had been able to get to the Avenue for any of our annual events,” Reuter remembered. “But one Saturday, they got a special van and wheelchair and brought him to Art on the Avenue. As word got out that he was at the volunteer table, old friends came rushing to see him and give him hugs. There he sat with his beautiful smile and tears running down his face—he loved being back in Del Ray.”
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