Ben Fowler

Ben Earl Fowler

January 24, 1920 ~ May 25, 2016

Our dear father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Ben Earl Fowler, passed away peacefully in his home Wednesday, May 25, 2016, surrounded by his family.

Ben was born January 24, 1920 in Hooper, Utah. He was the eighth of George Edward and Effie Parker Fowler’s nine children.

Ben had a happy childhood living on the family farm in Hooper, swimming in the canal, racing his horse and playing ball. He had many chores and found jobs working for neighbors, learning the value of hard work. He went to Hooper schools and graduated from Weber High School. He attended Weber State College for two years. In 1941, while attending Utah State University, he was recruited by the U.S. Navy. He served heroically during World War II as a decorated dive bomber and fighter pilot in the Pacific Theater. He served ten years reaching the rank of Lt. Commander. After the war he trained pilots in Pensacola, Florida.

Ben married the love of his life, his soulmate and eternal companion, Rita Jefferis, on May 18, 1943 while on leave in Philadelphia, PA. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple on July 22, 1950.

With Rita as his partner, he was a successful entrepreneur and local business man. They built two laundromats in San Leandro and Hayward, CA. Their next venture was a homestead in Pinedale, WY. Here they changed 320 acres of sagebrush into green fields of grain and alfalfa. Later in Roy, Utah, they built the Burger Bar which has been serving faithful customers for 60 years. The Burger Bar, famous for the “Big Ben”, has been recognized statewide in newspapers and publications and nationally was spotlighted on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.”

Ben served as the chairman of the Weber County Republican party and as a representative in the Utah State Legislature for two terms.

Ben was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He desired to follow the Savior and willingly served in many callings including as the first Branch President in Pinedale, WY, Bishop, Bishoprics and High Councils in Roy and Riverdale, and as a temple worker in the Ogden Temple. Together Ben and Rita served missions in San Francisco (California San Jose Mission) and in Minominee, Michigan (Wisconsin Milwaukee Mission). At home they served local missions to LDS Employment Services, the Family History Department in Salt Lake City, and two stake missions.

Ben was strong in his testimony of Jesus Christ. He was a noble man of integrity, honesty, and generosity. He worked hard in all of his endeavors. His children and grandchildren will never forget his admonitions of “work hard and save your money”. He and Rita were true partners in all of their business ventures, church callings, and especially the family. Ben and Rita were devoted to and loved their eight children. They were always generous to those who were in need, helping countless youth in many ways, and had a special love for Joni Layne Gibbons and Vahed Shekarforoosh. Their 50 grandchildren were the focus of their lives in later years.

Ben took care of Rita for more than ten years during her battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He has missed her greatly for the last six years and now they are together again.

Ben was preceded in death by his dear wife, Rita, his parents, and all of his siblings. He is survived by his sisters-in-law, Beth Fowler and Bettie Jones. He is also survived by his eight children, Toni Smedley (Lynn), Mickie Johnson (Warren), Bob Fowler (Rhonda), Ginger Peterson (Mark), Debi Haws (Greg), Dave Fowler (Connie), Jyl Marsden (McKay), and Jeff Fowler (Therese), 50 grandchildren and 136 great-grandchildren, with six more on the way.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 2, 2016 at the Riverdale Stake Center, 4000 South Parker Drive (1150 West), Riverdale. The family will meet with friends Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Roy Mortuary, 3333 West 5600 South and Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the stake center.

Interment, Hooper Cemetery.

Ben requested donations be made to the LDS Church Missionary fund in lieu of flowers.