Ellis E. Fowhand, 102, of Panama City, Florida, passed from this life on April 26, 2016 at Covenant Hospice surrounded by his family and friends.
Fowhand was born April 14, 1914 to Wesley Dowling Fowhand and Lula Mae Fowhand in Panama City, Florida, when the town was only five years old. Fowhand often credited his father for teaching him about business and sales, but it was his mother who encouraged his entrepreneurial spirit and taught him the finer points of being a Southern gentleman—a term often used to describe Fowhand.
Ellis was a graduate of Bay High School and worked his way up, beginning at age 7, in the furniture business until he opened his own store in 1952. However, whenever he was asked about the most significant event in his life, it was his 71½-year marriage to the late Phoebe Masker Fowhand. Ellis' work ethic is legend, and he and Phoebe worked side-by-side in the furniture business until their first child was born, and then she stayed home to raise their two sons Philip and Clark.
During WWII, Fowhand was a Block Warden patrolling the area around Massalina Drive to Fifth Street and was also one of the many distinguished men who got the Port of Panama City started, spending 7 years as a member of the Panama City Port Authority. He began the local Republican Party as well as founding the Econfina Environmental Club, more than 50 years ago, as a place where "gentlemen gather." Fowhand attended his last Econfina meeting, to celebrate his 102nd birthday, just a few days ago.
Ellis Fowhand gave back more than he took from Bay County being President/Board Member of the Panama City Progress Corporation and Board Member of United Way. He was on the Board of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce where he was the First Vice President of the Military Affairs Committee. He was Chairman of the Committee of 100 and President of the Community Chest. He was President and Active member of the Elks and Kiwanis Clubs, and was a Mason, Royal Arch, and member of the Knights Templar and Shriner's Club. He served as a Director for both First National as well as Southeast Banks. Ellis always valued education and was President of the Bay County Library Association during the planning and construction of the building once located on the Downtown Marina. He also served four years on Gulf Coast Community College's Advisory Board. In 2011, Fowhand was named to the Junior Achievement's Business Hall of Fame. Ellis received Paul Harris Fellow Award from the Rotary of Panama City.
Always a man of faith, Ellis was Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon, and Elder at Wallace Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Fowhand was pre-deceased by his parents Wesley Dowling Fowhand & Lula Mae Ellis Fowhand, two siblings that died at childbirth, sisters Cora Fowhand Chavers, Reba Fowhand and his wife Phoebe Masker Fowhand.
He is survived by his sons Philip Fowhand, Sr. & Clark Fowhand Sr.
Granddaughter Lisa Fowhand Johnson & Grandsoninlaw James W. Johnson
Grandsons Clark Fowhand, 11 ( Allison), Philip Fowhand, Jr.
Great grandson Dr. Wesley Johnson
Great granddaughter Ashley Fowhand Bowen (Richard) & family
Niece Virginia Chavers and The Chavers family
Nieces and nephews of the The Masker Family

Cousins Louise Chavers Carswell & Family and Robert Ellis (Sue) & Family
Special Granddaughters Sheila Churchwell, Carol L. Worthington, & Cassandra K. Lynch
Special Grandson James Brumby, Jr.
Special heartfelt thanks to his Pastor, Dr John Friedman (Linda) & Certified Lay Speaker Gene Zweigle (Anne) at Forest Park United Methodist Church. Ellis was so proud to join the Forest Park United Methodist church family. Your love and fellowship have meant so much to him.
He is also survived by all the dedicated employees who have served Fowhand Furniture Store over the last 64 years.
On behalf of his family, we want to say thank you to his dear friends of the Econfina Environmental Club that made each party an extra special time each month for many wonderful years . What a Spectacular 100th Birthday Party and how blessed he felt on his last party that included a celebration of his 102 Birthday. For so many years, he has enjoyed this special place on Econfina Creek. He celebrated life with so many wonderful memories of friends and family gatherings together in fellowship.
When Fowhand commented on being 102, he said, "How do I feel about being 102? I don't know! I've never been 102 before! I just keep coming to work every day." And that's a piece of advice he'd pass on to others now – "Hard work was, and still is, key."
Visitation will be at Forest Park United Methodist Church Sunday May 1 at 2:00 PM with the funeral being held immediately following the visitation 3:00 PM, followed by a reception. Internment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to Thornwell Home of Children P.O.Box 60 or 302 South Broad St. Clinton, S.C. 29325
The family would like to thank the staff of Covenant Hospice, and specifically Drs. Wesley Johnson, James Cook, Warren Hitt,f Michael Morrow, William Dent, & Steven Mullis
Honorary Pallbearers: James Johnson, Dr. James Cook. Grover Davis, Bill Cramer, Dr. Jim Campbell,
Floyd Skinner, Dennis Finch, Andy Stein, Jay Trumbull, Sr, Tom Neubauer & Jim Garner.