Fowler Ray Denton

Fowler Ray Denton—husband, father, and grandfather—crossed the veil from this world into the next at Signature Healthcare of Monroe County Rehab & Wellness Center on November 2, 2022, at age 76 after a prolonged illness. He passed peacefully with his wife holding his hand.

Fowler was born May 14, 1946, in Tompkinsville, Kentucky. Fowler was proud of his nearly 20 years of service in law enforcement between the Tompkinsville Police Department and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. If anyone were to ask Fowler his greatest accomplishment, he would undoubtedly say that moment occurred while in the line of duty on January 31, 1975. On that morning the Holland, Kentucky branch of Farmers National Bank was robbed at gunpoint. Deputy Sheriff Denton, accompanied by his friend and barber Kenneth Birge, apprehended the robber within 25 minutes of receiving the call. The chase ended in Fountain Run in dramatic fashion as Fowler trapped the robber in the red Mustang, he had stolen in Louisville the day prior. The Andy Griffith Show could not have written a more dramatic tale for Barney the deputy and Floyd the barber and still left time for commercial breaks; it would have simply been too unbelievable. However, Fowler lived the tale and had the letter of congratulations from Congressman Tim Lee Carter kept in a scrapbook to prove it.

Fowler is survived by his devoted wife Janice Sue Wilson; children Kevin Ray Denton of Tompkinsville, Fowler Nicholas Denton of Murfreesboro, TN, Amanda Sue Denton of Glasgow, and Jeremiah Wayne Denton of Tompkinsville; grandson Jackson Robert Denton of Glasgow; sister Winnie Irene Denton of Tompkinsville, brother Darrell Lee “Flea” Denton of Tompkinsville; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Fowler was preceded in death by his first wife Vera Francis Proffitt; parents Grover Cleveland Denton and Zona Avo Grace Denton; brothers Bedford, Dale, Ed, and Thomas Denton; sisters Marie Roddy, and Ruth Molene Walker Daniels.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 5, 2022, at Bartley & Sons Funeral Home in Tompkinsville. Bro. Danny Pace will officiate the service with burial to follow in the Wilson Cemetery.

Visitation will be Saturday, November 5, 2022, at Bartley & Sons Funeral Home from 11:00 a.m. until time for services at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Funeral Home to assist the family with final expenses. 

Bartley & Sons Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the care of Mr. Denton, and his family during this time.