Earl Thomas Fowler

Earl Thomas “Tom” Fowler, 96, passed on May 28, 2026.

Born September 6, 1929 in Conrad, Tom was fifth of eight children born of Walter and Ida Fowler. He attended grade school at the Sollid country school then Conrad high school. He and his brother, Bill, along with other country boys, lived under the Cement (Russel) School allowing them to stay in town to play high school sports during the harsh winter months. In exchange, they cleaned the schools at night. Tom played football, basketball and track before graduating in 1947. After a brief stint at Carroll college, he served in the US Marine Corps Reserve before marrying Kathleen Murnion on August 1, 1950. Together they raised 12 children.

Tom spent his lifetime farming and ranching. He started Custom Crop Company in 1975 which Bill McKinnley developed to what it is today. Tom had lifelong friends who he appreciated to the very end. In later years, when he wasn’t fishing at Antelope Lake, Tom attended to the Blue-Sky Villa community garden from which he happily shared its bounty. He never turned down a good round of card from pitch to pinochle. But truly, Tom’s greatest pride and joy was his family.

He is survived by his five sons; Tony (Agnes), Bob, Jerry, Matthew (Donna), Kelly (Heidi) and seven daughters; Jean (Bob) Donovan, Judith (Scot) Brower, Pat (Fred) Ott, Ruth Fowler, Teresa (Larry) Krueger, Laurie (Ted) Kimball, and Lisa Schaack; and if our count is right…37 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 70 years, Kay; his brothers; Clark, Jim, Bill, Dick and his sisters; Virginia Todd, Florence Sutherland and Mary Ann Inabnit, and grandson, Lucas Fowler.

Rosary service will be Wednesday, July 1, at 11:00am. Funeral mass will follow at 11:30am. All services will be held at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Conrad. A reception a the church will follow the burial.