Obituary of David Leonard Fowles

September 11, 1957 - Kamloops, British Columbia

October 3, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

 

“I always thought of myself as a house. I was always what I lived in. It didn't need to be big; it didn't need to be beautiful; it just needed to be mine. I became what I was meant to be. I built myself a life... I built myself a house.”

 

Dave passed away peacefully at home surrounded by the love of his family and friends. We know a lot of obituaries say this, but this was what really happened, because that was the way Dave wanted to spend his final days.

 

A father, a grandfather, a husband, a friend, a horseman, a lawyer, a leader, a mentor, a visionary, an articulate, frank, and intelligent man. Born in his beloved Kamloops, BC, to Len and Gerrie, Dave and his sister Karen weathered their share of early storms, which led to the strong bond they carried through his life. He was later blessed with two younger brothers, Chris and Jon who have both held special places in Dave's life.

 

Dave's character was a reflection of his passions. He loved Kamloops and Shuswap Lake "being back in the womb". Many of his favourite times were anchored there.

 

He loved horses, a love that started with a summer job at Silver Creek Ranch and deepened and strengthened throughout his life. Dave, Dan and whoever else was crazy or naive enough to head into the mountains with them... made a lifetime of memories. Through his relationship with Gail, he was gifted with his son and beautiful boy, Zach, for 21 years. The loss of Zach shifted him and gifted him, with a depth of grief and gratitude. He loved Vicki, who returned to his life and gifted him with his most treasured granddaughters, Kaylin and Kallie.

 

He loved Lori, who was his class partner in 1978 and became his life partner in 2018 and her daughter, Meagan who became his own. He was recently heard to say that he was just starting to like her family too, even if Ken was a fireman.

 

He loved music. He created the playlist for his celebration of life. Music spoke to him and was woven through his life beginning with John Denver, the Beatles, classical, Ian Tyson and, our dear friends, John Wort Hannam and Scott Duncan.

 

He loved to learn, he set goals and he "never, never quit". He was a voracious reader. He knew so much about so many different things. He owned his own trucking company and we don't think there was a road in North America that he hadn't driven on - he loved a good road trip : ) He was CPS #2078, he was proud of being a Calgary Police Officer and was honoured to be a member of the best police recruit class the CPS has ever seen, Class of ’74. He took those experiences with him into business and law school. He maintained deep friendships with classmates. He and his friend Pete, were called to the Bar in 1993 (They were called to many bars before that, but we will save those stories for another time). The marriage of police work and the law resulted in his successful career as a Crown Prosecutor where he got paid to argue!

 

He loved nature and his ranch in Blackie. He volunteered with the Southern Alberta Land Trust Society (SALTS) where he grew strong lasting friendships with John and Lauchlan.

 

Dave's character was further shaped by the resilience he demonstrated dealing with the health challenges that he fought so hard to overcome. These challenges ended his time as a Prosecutor and opened a door to another passion, hockey.

 

Dave loved hockey, football, and baseball too, but hockey was his passion. He said it was in his blood because his grandfather had played for his Chicago Blackhawks. Hockey also gave him his dear friend Rick.

 

Dave's final career was centred around his deep respect for Indigenous communities. His work with TMX, Pembina and the Western Indigenous Pipeline Group was a driving force in his final years. He so valued the friendships and wisdom he received from Joe and Allan.

 

Dave touched the lives of so very many people, through his passions, his work, his life.

We will miss him; we already miss him. We are his partner Lori, our daughters, Vicki and Meagan; granddaughters, Kaylin and Kallie; sister Karen (Gary), brothers, Chris and Jon (Melissa); his other partner : ) Dan (Heather), so many more extended family members, and great friends.

 

We want to express our gratitude and respect to the medical professionals who have supported us through this journey; Dave's doctor and friend Jeremy DeBruyn, kidney specialist and friend Garth Mortis and cancer doc Scot Dowden, and their teams.

 

In Dave's final days at home, we were blessed with miracles orchestrated by Angels on earth; Dan, Dwight, Jaime, Sue, John WH and Scott - you made magic happen - deepest gratitude.

 

A Celebration of Dave’s Life will be held at Mount Royal University (Ross Glen Hall, 4825 Mt Royal Gate SW, Calgary, AB), on Friday, October 14, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. At Dave's request, his celebration will be a casual gathering of friends, please dress comfortably. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mr. Fowles’ service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

 

To honour Dave, if friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Southern Alberta Land Trust Society (SALTS) (P.O. Box 45016, High River, AB T1V 1R7) Telephone (403) 652-9998, www.salts.land, a sports concussion research charity, or an Indigenous based non-profit that touches your heart.

 

In living memory of David Fowles, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

 

Click Here to View David Fowles' Memorial Card

 

Thank you for joining us for the live streaming of this event

(The event start time on our video player has automatically adjusted to match your time zone)

Our technical team does everything possible to ensure the best quality of the live-stream service.

Unfortunately, there are times when the internet connection at the venue or where you are viewing from may cause interference and buffering.

We apologize if this is the case with today’s live stream, but we want to assure you that this service will be recorded and uploaded following the service.