Dean Fowler

Ryland Dean Fowler, age 90, passed away on May 17, 2025 at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, GA. Dean was born April 2, 1935 to the late Rev Homer Graysden and Sara Maxie Smith Fowler on the family farm in Andersonville, a place he cherished and considered home. Dean was a rambunctious, ambitious, and quick-witted son of a preacher with a determination to overcome poverty. A natural born entrepreneur, he raised chickens and managed a plumbing store before age 12, built Blue Bird school buses, and with a gaggle of college friends sold Bibles door-to-door landing them a stint in jail.

Upon graduating high school in Manchester, GA, he received a scholarship to attend Oxford College of Emory University and graduated from Emory University in 1957. He considered his college years to be his most formative, gaining a broader perspective of the world, developing life long friendships with his Sigma Chi brothers, and meeting his future wife, Loretta Ann Perry from Sylvania, GA. He would later serve as Chairman of the Board of Counselors of Oxford College, as President of the Emory University Alumni Association, and as a member of the Emory University Board of Trustees. In 2013, he was honored as the recipient of the Fraternity’s Signicant Sig Award, the highest recognition for achievement in a brother’s professional career.

Dean served two years in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany. Following his tour, he worked in medical equipment sales where he was introduced to the nursing home industry. On a wing and a prayer (and a bit of borrowed capital), Dean built his first nursing home from an abandoned elementary school building in Ideal, GA. In 1963, he founded Medical Investments Corporation, which grew to become one of the largest nursing home companies in America with 57 homes and 6,000 beds. He served on the Board of The American College of Nursing Home Administrators and as President of the Georgia Nursing Home Association. He sold to Beverly Enterprises in 1979. He continued investing in businesses building a mobile home manufacturing facility, and developing subdivisions, apartments, and office warehouses.

In lieu of retirement, Dean moved to the gulf of Florida and developed Steinhatchee Landing Resort in an area known for its moss-covered oaks, trout fishing, scalloping, and abundant wildlife. Voted “Florida’s most enchanting and romantic hidden retreat”, this quaint river-front nature resort built in a fishing village was complete with Victorian cottages, tennis courts, a pool, playground, chapel, canoes, bikes, archery, farm animals and a vegetable garden. Dean loved his “old Florida” Steinhatchee home, and it became the personal playground for his grandchildren and the setting of cherished family memories.

In Montezuma, he served as deacon at First Baptist Church, as Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, President of the Chamber of Commerce, President of the Lions Club of Ideal, and on the Board of Directors of the Montezuma Banking Company. He served on the Georgia Democrat Executive Committee, was appointed to both the Board of Human Resources by Governor Jimmy Carter and to the Georgia Board of Industry, Trade & Tourism by Governor Zell Miller. Dean was among the southern accented Peanut Brigade that canvased the nation to elect Jimmy Carter as president. He served as Chairman of the Original Florida Tourism Task Force, President of the Board of the Florida Bed and Breakfast Association, and was appointed to the Florida Commission on Tourism by Governor Jeb Bush. His fondest memories and lasting bonds, however, came from serving as the no-nonsense Scoutmaster of Troop 86 in Montezuma.

Aside from work and civic duty, Dean was a loving husband and father to his wife Loretta and daughters Maxie, Joni, and Vicki. He took his family on adventurous (and educational!) vacations from roadtrips to the 1967 World Fair in Montreal to scuba diving in the Cayman Islands, sharing the wonders of the world with those he loved most. Dean was an instrument-rated pilot, traveled the world, and had numerous hobbies including photography, landscaping, growing proliferous gardens, and making scuppernong wine.

He shared his love of genealogy with his cousin, Kimsey Fowler, and has accumulated droves of archives. Together, they adventured throughout the South, knocking on strangers’ doors, offering DNA kits, and discovering and restoring family cemeteries. His love of history led him to become President of the Macon County Historical Society and Editor and Publisher of Macon County Life, 1933-1983, a sequel to Louise Frederick Hay’s History of Macon County Georgia. 

Dean took advantage of every opportunity, was an inspiration to many, and will be sorely missed by those who were lucky enough to know him. What a remarkable life. 

The family has immense gratitude for the extraordinary care given him by Dr. Stephen Clements and his nurse Susan Shepherd at Emory Clinic as well as his loving caregivers Hana and Amiko.

Dean is survived by his wife of 68 years, Loretta Perry Fowler, of Atlanta; three daughters: Maxie Vlcek (Lawrence) of Macon, Joni Cushing (Mac) of Atlanta, and Vicki Harcrow (Benny) of Montezuma; his brother, Homer Smith Fowler of Griffin; five grandchildren: Winslow Rumph Jones of Atlanta, Ryland Rumph (Carolina) of Springfield, VA, Virginia Rumph Starbuck (Steve) of Santa Rosa, FL, Maggie Cushing of Brooklyn, NY, and Lisette Cushing of Atlanta; one step-grandchild, Charlie Cushing, with whom he shared a special relationship; and one great-grandchild, Haysen Scott Starbuck.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 11:30am at First Baptist Church of Montezuma. The family plans a private burial service. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 20 from 6:00 until 8:00pm at Watson Mathews Funeral Home in Montezuma.

Memorial contributions may be made to Oxford College of Emory University or First Baptist Church of Montezuma