Sharron Fowler

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Sharron Marie Thomas Fowler on March 6, 2026, just shy of her 83rd birthday. A burial of her ashes will be held at the Orem City Cemetery at 1520 North 800 East, Orem, Utah, on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 10:00 am. An open-house celebration of her life will be held at Nelson Family Mortuary, 4780 North University Avenue, Provo, Utah, on the same day from 3:00-5:00 pm.

On March 31, 1943, Sharron made quite an entrance into this world, delivered on the kitchen table in Beaver, Utah, to her strong mother while her father was away at war. Helen and Eldon Thomas welcomed their first daughter, later followed by two younger brothers and a sister.

Sharron spent most of her childhood growing up in Midway and Orem, Utah, where she was known for frequenting the Timp Drive-In and “making out down by the lake.” After graduating from Orem High School, Sharron attended Southern Utah University, where she studied English.

It was in Cedar City that she met “the only Catholic boy at the school” at a local bar, where she later joked she “nervously flipped the waistband of her underwear.” She married her sweetheart, Richard Virgil Fowler, on March 21, 1965 in Orem, Utah. Soon after, they anxiously awaited their first baby, Rick. During her eighth month of pregnancy, her water broke while she was watching the LA Rams play the Chicago Bears on September 26, 1965, following a crushing tackle by Deacon Jones of the Rams. A short fourteen months later, they welcomed their second son, Jim, completing their family. Rick and Jim were her pride and joy. The young family only had eight more months together before her husband Richard was tragically killed. At only 23 years old, Sharron boarded a plane for the first time and flew to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, to bring her husband home.

Sharron pioneered a skill set unique for the time as a single mother, doing the job of both mom and dad. She raised two young boys who grew into high-achieving athletes and academics. She was the only mom around who had her very own mitt to play catch with her sons. One flex she never tired of using was that she knew more about sports than most of her male counterparts.

Her diverse professional career began as a librarian at Cherry Hill Elementary, where students would remember and recognize her well into her later years. She later transitioned to Mountain Bell as her children grew older. Although working full time, she never missed an important event, be it a baseball game, football game, honor society induction, or Scout ceremony.

This same energy carried naturally into her role as Grandma. Nothing made her happier than tending the grandkids on weekends, road-tripping for tournaments, or helping with homework. In fact, she was occasionally guilty of not just helping but doing the entire project or report herself. Her life revolved around showing up for her people in every capacity. She became known as “Granny” to many beyond her own family.

As the grandkids got older, you might have seen them gathered around Sharron at the coffee shop, Juice n Java, where she was a regular and a generous tipper. If not there, you might have spotted her driving her blue Xterra or, more likely, heard her. She was a prolific honker, pulling up to her favorite people’s houses and announcing her arrival with a cheerful blast of the horn, ready to gab. She rarely let any of those people leave empty-handed.

If you had the privilege of riding in the Xterra, second passenger only to her Chinese Crested puppy, Adam Sandler, you might have heard Marvin Gaye, Frank Ocean, or Snoop Dogg playing on rotation.

In addition to her devotion to family and friends, Sharron enjoyed a long and accomplished professional career. She was an early and integral part of WordPerfect, working in executive administration during the company’s formative years. She later continued in a similar role at Novell, where she spent time working alongside her two sons. She concluded her professional journey at Group 8 Technology, working with her sister, Tamara.

To describe Sharron in a single word: soulful. She sought out soulful music, food, artwork, and relationships. She could be moved by the moody plateaus of a Maynard Dixon original and just as easily brought to tears by a grandbaby’s dance performance. She was a natural artist in many forms, including piano, sewing, drawing, and painting. Not only did she effortlessly create beauty, but she eagerly shared it with those around her.

Sharron loved every kind of person and every kind of weather. She loved cozying up with a book on a rainy day and water-coloring lilacs on a sunny one. She loved the color purple, chocolate in any form, and a cold Diet Coke. She exclusively made right-hand turns while driving, thanks to her left-turn superstition and, perhaps, the inconvenience. She always appreciated those who could decipher the difference between “who” and “whom.”
Phrases of hers that might sound familiar include:
“Love your guts.”
“Don’t make me kick your ass.”
“This is so good, it must be against the church.”
“I’m so happy, I could tap dance!”

Sharron was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and spent many years serving in the Young Women and Primary programs. The young people she served cherished her friendship and love. She exercised her faith in the purest way by extending herself to every soul she encountered. She listened, encouraged, and loved without reserve or judgment. These qualities created her true legacy. The number of people Sharron made feel special, loved, and safe is immeasurable.

In her final years, Sharron’s pragmatism, humor, and love transcended the growing confusion within her mind. She continued to form and deepen friendships with those she met in the care facilities that were her home for the last five years. It is inspiring to realize that her deep goodness continued to shine through the fog of dementia. Our heartbreak is eclipsed only by the joy of having been loved by such a force.

Our dearest Sharron, Mom, sister, aunt, friend, teacher, confidant, and granny, we hope you are tap-dancing in heaven. Until we meet again, we love you.

Sharron was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Fowler; her parents, Helen and Eldon Thomas, and her brother, Dan Thomas.

She is survived by her sons, Rick Fowler (Stephanie) and Jim Fowler; her grandchildren, Nash, Brooks (Jessi), Sage (Chris), Vivan, Mila, Jessica, JT (Sierra), Jaxon (Brandie) Fowler, Joe (Jenna) Brown, Andria Walker, Tiffani (Mike) Miller; her siblings, Dick Thomas, Tamara (Mike) Walker, Allyson Thomas; and countless great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.