The Legacy of Jama Fowler

Photo Submitted

Jama Fowler

Jama Fowler, longtime U of A supporter, passed away on April 20, 2022. Jama and her surviving husband of 65 years, Wallace Fowler, were major supporters of the U of A and the Razorback Foundation.

Jama was born in Amity, Arkansas, in 1936 and was introduced to her future husband in 1955. The two were married shortly after. While serving in the U.S. Army, Wallace was assigned to work as a dental lab technician at the 98th General Hospital in Neubrucke, Germany. While there, the couple traveled Europe extensively.

In 1957 the couple returned home and successfully built many business ventures together as a partnership, including management of furniture stores, ownership of KFC restaurants and banking interests.

Through all of their success, Jama and Wallace generously supported the communities that were special to them, including Jonesboro and Fayetteville, with their volunteer service and financial resources. 

Jama served as a volunteer at the Phil and Flo Jones Hospice House, the Altrusa Club, the Jonesboro Church Health Center - of which she was a founding member - and the Salvation Army, all in Jonesboro. She had also served on the Board of Directors of John T. Gray School in Jonesboro and had been an active volunteer with United Cerebral Palsy of Northeast Arkansas for many years. 

The Wallace W. and Jama M. Fowler House, the chancellor’s residence on the U of A campus, and the Fowler House Garden and Conservatory provide hospitality for university guests for a variety of campus celebrations and events thanks to the philanthropy of Jama and Wallace.

“The Fowler House and conservatory stand as testaments on our campus to the generosity and lasting positive influence that Jama, Wallace and their family are so well known for,” said Charles Robinson, interim chancellor. “We are continually grateful for the kindness and partnership Mrs. Fowler always shared with the university, and our hearts are with her family at this time.”

Jama and Wallace served on steering committees in two major capital campaigns, Campaign for the Twenty-First Century and Campaign Arkansas. “Jama’s friendship and spirit of generosity were invaluable. Our campaign accomplishments were greater because of Jama and Wallace,” said Mark Power, vice chancellor for advancement. “We will miss Jama’s kindness and good will to others.” The Fowlers are also members of the U of A Chancellor’s Society and Towers of Old Main.

Their love of the Razorbacks took them across the country as they traveled to away Razorback sporting events in their 45-foot motor home.

Jama was an enthusiastic and ardent Razorback fan, and she and her family have been major contributors and supporters of the Razorback Foundation and Razorback Athletics throughout the years. The Fowlers’ contributions to Razorback Athletics include major gifts to the Fowler Family Baseball and Track Training Center, named in their honor; Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium; Road Hog Park; the Razorback Foundation Annual Fund; and other significant gifts.

“Everywhere you look on campus, you can see touches of the Fowler family, including our athletic facilities,” said Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek. “We are saddened by the loss of Mrs. Fowler and are eternally grateful for her and Mr. Fowler’s support over the past two decades.” 

“Mrs. Fowler was warm, charming and always kept others smiling and laughing with her sense of humor,” said Scott Varady, Razorback Foundation executive director. “The philanthropic support Mrs. Fowler and her husband have provided to the Razorback Foundation, and the support their sons continue to give, will impact our Razorback student-athletes for years to come.” 

Jama and Wallace have three sons: Wally (Chris Cooper), Chris (Kim) and Mark (Lisa), who continue their parents’ legacy of generosity across the state and love of the U of A.