It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, James R. Fowler, Jr., (Jimmy), who went home to be with the Lord on October 15, 2026. Known to most as Jimmy, he was affectionately called “Honey” by his family and closest friends.
Jimmy was born on May 3, 1960, in Belton, South Carolina, to the late James R. Fowler, Sr. and Jeanne Gore Fowler. He leaves behind his devoted wife of 43 years, Julie; his son, Trey (Jenn); his daughter, Sidney Ann; his granddaughters, Mackenzie Holmes and Kelsey (Dylan) Pompa; his great-grandchildren, Loddie and Wayne; and his brother, David (Mary Alice). He was his family’s greatest blessing, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
A proud graduate of Belton-Honea Path High School, Jimmy continued his education at Wofford College, where he earned a degree in Economics. He furthered his professional education through the North Carolina School of Banking at UNC Chapel Hill and Campbell University’s Trust and Investment School. These experiences laid the foundation for a distinguished banking career spanning more than 40 years before retiring from Countybank after serving for many years as Executive Vice President. Jimmy’s leadership extended beyond Countybank to the broader banking industry. He served as President of the Independent Banks of South Carolina, where he received the Independent Banks Leadership Award in 2018.
Jimmy was a decorated athlete in high school setting state track records and receiving awards as a football standout. He went on to play football at Wofford College, his beloved alma mater that he supported after graduation through mentoring student athletes, serving on the Terrier Board, raising money, giving money, and being a faithful fan.
A man of deep Christian faith, Jimmy lived his beliefs through action. He served as an Elder and Trustee at First Presbyterian Church in Greenwood, co-led a weekly community Bible study, taught Sunday school, and devoted countless hours to mentoring young professionals, student-athletes, and community leaders. He founded the Lakelands chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), served as its board chair for 13 years, and on the FCA State Board. For seven years, he also served as chaplain for the Emerald High School football team, offering encouragement, guidance, and spiritual support to young athletes and their coaches.
Jimmy believed in investing in people and helping them discover their potential. Through his involvement with the Minority Business Accelerator Program at the Greenville County Chamber of Commerce, he taught financial and business accounting. His contributions helped advance economic opportunity and business success, earning him the Chamber’s Champion Award in 2018. He also served on many boards and councils in Greenville, Anderson, and Greenwood, helping shape strategic initiatives that expanded educational opportunities, strengthened community partnerships, and promoted economic development.
His commitment to serving others extended to the fight against cancer, a cause that touched countless lives throughout the region. He was inducted into PRISMA’s Dragon Boat Hall of Fame in 2017. Jimmy also served on the board as treasurer of Cancer Survivor Park, where he helped raise awareness, supported educational initiatives, and secured funding for a meaningful place of remembrance in downtown Greenville. While serving as chair of the YMCA Board of Directors in Greenwood, Jimmy envisioned and implemented the annual Community Prayer Breakfast, an event that grew to welcome approximately 1,000 people of all ages. He also served on many boards and councils in Greenville, Anderson, and Greenwood, helping shape strategic initiatives that expanded educational opportunities, strengthened community partnerships, and promoted economic development.
Jimmy’s legacy is reflected in the organizations he strengthened, the opportunities he helped create, the young people he encouraged, the families he comforted, and the countless lives made better through his service. His influence will endure through the programs he established, the causes he championed, the faith he shared, and the example he set for generations to come.
A memorial service will be held to celebrate Jimmy’s life at 3:00 PM on October 22, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church in Greenwood, SC. The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers:
Fellowship of Christian Athletes- Lakelands Area
Online donation:
https://my.fca.org/?form=lakelandsoperational&keyword=Lakelands%20Operational
Check or Cash Donation:
Lakelands FCA
PO Box 50707
Greenwood, SC 29649
Freedom Home Care- Angel House
Check Donation:
309A Hawkins Rd Suite 5
Travelers Rest, SC 29690
28 Responses
Jimmy loved the Lord and his family with his whole heart. As well, he is one of the truest and most faithful friends I have ever known. Looking forward to eternity with you.
Amen!
Jimmy was a great friend, hunting companion and mentor. His compassion for his family and others was only secondary to his passion for his Lord. This world is a better place because of Jimmy. He many times talked about this day and I’m sure he is now enjoying his reward. Rest in peace my friend.
Jimmy was a great manager, leader, and friend. I appreciated him investing time in me during my banking career. I will forever be grateful for him openly praying with me in his office, opening his Bible that stayed visible on his desk to talk with me anytime, and his encouragement overall. Jimmy knew when to lead with his heart. He had a big smile and a wonderfully contagious laugh. Two more things I will never forget.
Jimmy is one of those people I’ll always remember as someone who had a very positive and powerful impact and influence on my life.
Until we meet again, thank you for your love, support, encouragement and friendship Jimmy.
My condolences to the family. He loved all of you so much. You are all in my prayers. Much love.
Freedom Home Care was honored to care for Jimmy and loved him so much, our hearts are forever touched. Honey’s House will honor him forever as our 1st patient in the home, also naming the home after him. The sweetest most precious family. We thank God for our time with him.
I sat next to Jimmy for over 15 years in our men’s weekly bible study. I witnessed first hand the wonderful sanctification in his life as his relationship with Jesus Christ seemed to grow each week during those years. In fact, Jimmy influenced me with his comments and feedback as we studied scripture together. I vividly recall me saying as long as I get in Heaven, I don’t care if it’s the last row in the balcony. Jimmy’s reply was, “I want to be in the first row.” That one comment taught me not to settle on my strong faith but to strive everyday to became more like Jesus. Jimmy had a way of inspiring others through his leadership in many organizations. Jimmy’s family is a reflection of who he was; a man who loved God/Jesus, loved his family and loved his fellow man. I will miss my friend.
I treasure my time with Jimmy on the FCA board in Greenwood. What a good man and a good friend. Rest in peace my friend, you have completed the race, and what a good race it was.
Jimmy was such a special person to me, I had the honor of caring for him over the last year. My condolences to all his family and friends.
Jimmy was a true friend and teammate during our days at BHP. There are so many memories of the great times and shenanigans we experienced during our high school days. When looking back at those moments, you can’t help but smile and laugh at those great times. #61, forever a BHP BEAR. Look forward to seeing you again one day.
I hope that family and friends will cherish their memories of Jimmy in this difficult time and find comfort and peace in coming days.
Even though I have never met Jimmy, his obituary tells the story of a loving and compassionate man. My connection is with his wife, Julie. We are old classmates.
Julie – My heart is broken for you, Sidney, and Trey. My thoughts and prayers will be with you as you face this tremendous loss. Much love to you!
The impact Jimmy and his family had on my life will stay with me forever. Jimmy and Julie shared the kind of love that was so special and genuine, the kind I admired, envied. Watching the way they loved each other, prioritized their family, and kept God at the center of their lives left a lasting impression on me. They showed me what truly matters in life, and I will always be grateful to have witnessed that kind of love firsthand.
Jimmy was a man whose faith and love for others were evident in the life he lived. It is no surprise that he touched so many lives, because even in the few years I knew him, he and his family made such a meaningful impact on me. I pray Julie, Sidney Ann, and Trey find comfort in the beautiful memories they shared and in knowing how deeply Jimmy was loved and how much he meant to so many people. May God surround them with His peace and carry them through the days ahead.
I graduated from BHP with Jimmy and later connected with him again in Greenwood . He had a true servants’ heart and no doubt heard “well done my good and faithful servant.” My prayers are with his family during this time.
Thinking of you at this sad time. Covering your family in prayer. With much love from Martha and Roddey Player
I worked alongside Jimmy for a number of years and am sorry to see him go. He was a good man and really cared for people.
Jimmy was one of those people who could fill up a room when he walked in! I learned a lot from him when we worked together at Countybank. He loved life and completely adored his family. His faith was evident in all he did and every minute he lived. If you knew Jimmy, you definitely had a “Jimmy” story! Whether it was a joke he played, an adventure he shared, or trying to get him to sit still and stay off the phone for 5 minutes so you could discuss whatever it was that brought you to his office in the first place 🙂 He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Thank you to the family and caregivers who helped my friend in all the ways possible. Our prayers continue to be with you each day for God’s Grace to see you through. Jimmy and I met at Wofford College. We were brothers in Christ Jesus and the Wofford Football alumna class of 83’. He was a warrior on and off the field. We shared first names, 43 years of marriage to our wives. Our son’s nicknames are Trey. Our passion to serve others as followers of Jesus. We will remember his smile, sense of humor and laugh that brought joy to our lives. Well Done thy good and faithful servant.
Family.
“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth.”
2nd Thessalonians 1:3
To be in Jimmy Fowler’s presence, even for just a minute, was like being with an instant friend. He was so easy to know and love. If he could help you with anything, he would gladly do it. The way he loved Julie and his entire family was an inspiration. I will miss that mischievous smile and easy laugh. I know he is with the Father now and I am thankful to have had a short time with him here on earth.
I was a year behind Jimmy but still friends, sorry to hear this , but glad he was a Christian – prayers for the family .
Jimmy and I became friends in first grade we picked on each other like brother and sister but were there for each other when we needed a friend. We lost touch after high school. I’m sure he was a wonderful husband and father. May God give you comfort in this sad time.
Julie
Terry and I are so sorry for your loss. We really enjoyed our time spent with you and Jimmy at the meetings and banquets. He was such a joy to be around. He will be missed.
I knew Jimmy initially through my late husband, Tim Bright, and later through the Prisma Cancer Advancement Council. He was such a bright spark to my day anytime I got the opportunity to see him. Will be thinking of you all in the days and weeks ahead.
Jimmy was a great person and a great banker and I will never forget him. His family should be proud of this good man.
Jimmy welcomed Sumeer and me to Greenwood 22 years ago, and his warmth and charisma made us feel like friends from the very beginning. He was a friend to so many and will be deeply missed. Our heartfelt condolences to you all.
Jimmy is the sole reason I have a career at Countybank. He recruited me to join Countybank more than 25 years ago, and that decision changed my life.
Jimmy was a special person to so many people. His warm smile, caring heart, and genuine kindness made a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. When you sat down to talk with Jimmy, he listened with patience and sincere interest. He never made you feel like there was somewhere else he needed to be or something more important to do.
His faith was evident to all of us, not just in what he said, but in the way he lived his life every day. We were blessed to witness such a strong Christian example, and I am blessed to call him friend!
Heaven gained a truly great man.
Sending thoughts and prayers to the family during this difficult time. Jimmy was always very kind and welcoming and a pleasure to work with.
Allen and are saddened to hear that Jimmy has died. He and Julie were always so kind and welcoming to us when we moved to Greenwood. I got to know them better caring for their children and looked up to them as role models. We shared a love for our Wofford Terriers. Jimmy was a true servant of Christ and will be missed. May he Rise in Glory as he feasts on another shore in a fuller light.
Heartfelt prayers to your family during this very difficult time.
I was blessed to know and work with Jimmy at Countybank. And also his family who lived down the street in Greenwood. Jimmy was as solid as a person can be. He impacted countless lives in a positive way including mine. I’ve been replaying Jimmy stories in mind. He loved hard. Julie, Trey, Sid and all Jimmy’s family, my heart goes out to you.