The death has occurred at the age of 70 of the Rev Canon David Mallory Fowler, who was loved and respected by a great many of those he met during his 29 years as a clergyman in the Eden area.
Born at Altrincham, in Cheshire, he was the middle child of David Middleton Fowler and Nora Fowler, both originally from Yorkshire. He had two sisters, Jennie and Lynda.
He attended school in Southport and was head choirboy at the town’s Holy Trinity Church. After leaving school he studied agriculture at Myerscough College, in Lancashire.
At the age of 19 he met his future wife, Anne, and the couple were married in 1973. They went on to have four children, Wendy, Heidi, Mark and Colin.
After completing his studies, David worked for the May Day relief milking service and was then a herdsman on a farm at Hale, near Liverpool.
He gave up his career in agriculture to follow his faith and attended Trinity Theological College, Bristol. His first curacy was at Rainhill, Liverpool, and he moved on to Kingstown and Houghton, Carlisle, before becoming priest in charge at Grayrigg, Old Hutton and New Hutton.
David made his move to the Eden Valley in 1989, becoming vicar of Kirkoswald, Renwick and Ainstable.
Later, after a regroup of parishes in 1998, he became vicar of Kirkoswald, Lazonby, Great Salkeld, Renwick and Croglin.
Known as a conscientious, friendly and approachable priest who took a keen interest in the local area, he was appointed rural dean of Penrith and, in 1999, also as honorary canon of Carlisle Cathedral.
In his free time David enjoyed walking his bearded collies, playing cricket and tennis and watching tennis. He even trained to be a tennis umpire. When not out and about, he spent many hours reading books.
He retired as a full-time clergyman in 2017 and moved with Anne and their dogs to Weardale, in County Durham. However, as a retired vicar he still helped out at St John’s Chapel and surrounding areas. The Rev Canon David Sargent, rural dean of the Penrith deanery, said: “David, Anne and their family were held in very high regard in the parishes in which they served in the Penrith deanery.
“In his time as rural dean David was a huge support to many clergy and was a man of great faith and deep humanity.
“He was a kind and generous parish priest and a wonderful colleague to work alongside. David also had strong and lasting connections with Carlisle Cathedral where he was an honorary canon.
“He retired to County Durham and I know his ministry there was also very much appreciated. His death has come as a huge shock to us and we will continue to hold all of his family in our prayers. David will be missed very much.”
After his retirement David enjoyed quality time with his grandchildren and joined two local choirs. He also turned to baking as a hobby during the lockdown.
He leaves behind much loved wife Anne, of Lanehead, Weardale; daughter Wendy and son-in-law Ian, of Penrith; son Mark and daughter-in-law Becky, of Clifton; son Colin and daughter-in-law Gillian, of Newby East; and daughter Heidi and son-in-law Marshall, of Edenhall; and sister Jennie and brother-in-law Christoph, of Salzburg, Austria. He had two grandsons, Freddie and Seb.
The funeral will take place at Carlisle Cathedral on Wednesday, 25th May, at 2pm. Sean Crilley Funeral Directors, Carlisle, have charge of the arrangements.
