“Listening to Coach Fowler as an adult when he gave his pregame speech made you really think. As a teenager sometimes you are not picking up what he is putting down but as an adult it is all crystal clear. He talks to the players about life and about what problems life brings and how tough life can be and how you have to rise above the problems thru hard work and determination.”

Randy Mayo, Clayton class of 1983, member of 1978 Cooper Junior High team, Fowler’s first unbeaten team

“Playing for him was always fun, because he always demanded that you bring your best effort on every single play. Working for Gary was really good, because getting the opportunity to learn a craft from a person that you think so highly of was a pleasure. To learn that football was more than being a coach on the practice field or on the sidelines on Thursday and Friday nights.”

Ken Ray, Former Clayton High football standout and assistant coach

“Gary, he always accepted me as an equal even though I was a good deal younger than he was. Both as a coach and an athletic director. He always did things with class. He would never intentionally run the score up on anybody. I saw him have the chance to do it many times but he never did.”

Mike Joyner, former Smithfield-Selma athletic director

“The good news for the Clayton community is that Gary will still be around caring for folks even when he’s no longer on the field on Friday night.”

Lisa Bailey , longtime friend and former editor of the Clayton News