Serial Killer Bobby Jack Fowler Timeline - Dates of Where He Was or May Have Been

Researcher: Shane Lambert
Original publication date: January 9th, 2021
Updated: March 17th, 2025

Note: this is an on-going project that I will continually enhance. All statements in the timeline are believed to be accurate. In the event of an error, efforts will be made to correct the article.


The purpose of the information presented here is to provide a timeline of a known serial killer, Bobby Jack Fowler. 

Serial Killer's name: Bobby Jack Fowler (1939 - 2006)
  • Bobby could also be Rob, Robert, or Bob. or some other variations, like Robby.

Relatives and Why They Are Listed

Bobby Jack Fowler isn't a unique name. Given that, relatives of the serial killer can be important when it comes to identifying him in a document. This is especially true when you come across less-specific names like "Bobby J. Fowler" "Robert J. Fowler" or even just "Bob Fowler." It can be very difficult to know if the documents pertain to the same person.

In particular, a name like "Bobby" has numerous derivations that all affect keyword searching for the worse. Bob, Rob, Robbie, Robby, Robert, Bobbie, and possibly more variations of the same name exist.

For that reason, I list the relatives of Bobby Jack Fowler as cross-referencing material for anyone searching the documentary record for this serial killer. The association does not mean that the following people, who are all deceased, were immoral or criminals like Bobby Jack Fowler was.

However, when faced with an abundance of names that could all be variations of Bobby Jack Fowler, a researcher needs to know who the other people are that were in his life. In this case, I decided to only include relatives who were of his immediate family and deceased.
  • Father: Selva Fowler (1915-1968)
  • Mother: Oma Lee Fowler (nee Hathaway) (1916-1991)
  • Sister: Linda Susan Fowler (1950-2004)
  • Brother: Walter Frank Fowler (1935-2004)
Social Security Number: ends with 215 (******215)

Addresses Associated With Bobby Jack Fowler

Some addresses are associated with Bobby Jack Fowler using Ancestry.com. However, what I found was that addresses at Ancestry don't necessarily contain specific information as to when someone was at a spot at an exact point in time.

For example, his 1996 address was in Portland. However, I note that this address was after his June 28th, 1995 arrest. If you want to have a look at his addresses, then use this exit link (membership with Ancestry.com may be required): Bobby Jack Fowler address search at Ancestry.com. But be aware that he could be anywhere, regardless of where his mail is being sent.

Bobby Jack Fowler's Timeline

Researching Bobby Jack Fowler's timeline was difficult. Mainly, some same-name matches made it hard to authenticate some aspects of his timeline. 

However, I decided to publish what I found and simply state the doubts that I might have. Mainly, if I saw a report where the first, middle, and last names matched in conjunction with age, then I considered it very probable. Furthermore, I deferred to journalists writing for major publications, believing that they would have good reason for making their claims. I consider this timeline to be a work in progress.

Date Event Location
June 12, 1939 [BJF is 0] Bobby Jack Fowler is born to Selva “Mutt” Fowler and Oma Lee (Hathaway) Fowler. Merkel, Texas, USA
March 6, 1959 [BJF is 19] Fowler marries Theresa Patton. They eventually have five children: Johnny, Janey, Pam, Loretta, and Randell. Taylor County, Texas (greater area)
1959-1971 [BJF is approximately 20-32] Fowler and Theresa Patton have five children: Johnny, Janey, Pam, Loretta, and Randell. Estimated birth ranges: Johnny (late 1959-early 1961), Janey (1962-1963), Pam (1964-1966), Loretta (1967-1969), Randell (1970-early 1971). Likely Texas, USA (specific locations unknown)
February 8, 1960 [BJF is 20] It is thought by the writer that Fowler and his wife had a daughter in Wichita Falls on this date. It is also noted that his address might have been 1600 32nd Street in Wichita Falls, Texas. Source: Wichita Falls Times, February 8, 1960. Wichita Falls, Wichita County, Texas
October 12, 1961 [BJF is 22] It is thought by the writer that Bobby J. Fowler and his wife may have had another daughter on this date at Harris Hospital. It is also noted that his address might have been 3304 S. Houston in Fort Worth, Texas. Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram, October 12, 1961. Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
Late 1962 - Early 1963 (exact dates unknown) [BJF is approximately 23-24] It is thought by the writer that Bobby J. Fowler might have been in Denison, Texas, or Durant, Oklahoma, around this time, based on reports of a daughter named Pamela possibly born on December 31, 1962, a complaint alleging Mrs. Bobby J. Fowler wrote a worthless $18.82 check at the Durant Auto Supply company on March 11, 1963, and charges of defrauding with a bogus $5.29 check filed against Bobby J. Fowler on May 2, 1963. It is also noted that this could be just a same-name match. Sources: Durant Daily Democrat, December 31, 1962; May 1, 1963; May 2, 1963. Denison, Grayson County, Texas, or Durant, Bryan County, Oklahoma
August 17-18, 1963 [BJF is 24] It is thought by the writer that Bobby J. Fowler may have been charged with operating a vehicle with no valid operator’s license over the weekend, as one of seven Lewis County residents cited for traffic violations by the State Patrol, as reported on August 20, 1963. A later charge in the same location using his full name confirms his age matches Bobby Jack Fowler. Source: Durant Daily Democrat, August 20, 1963. Centralia, Lewis County, Washington
November 13, 1963 [BJF is 24] A "Bobby Jack Fowler" is fined $50 for drunk and disorderly conduct by damaging a city police car. Assumed to be the serial killer based on exact name match (first, middle, and last) and consistency with age (24) Source: Local newspaper, Centralia, Washington, November 13, 1963. Centralia, Lewis County, Washington
Before September 21, 1965 (exact date unknown) [BJF is approximately 26] It is thought by the writer that Bobby J. Fowler may have been issued a speeding ticket in Waco, Texas, just before this date, with a fine of $20.50, handled by Justice of Peace Joe Johnson. If it is the serial killer, this would place him in Waco sometime before September 21, 1965. Source: Newspaper clipping, Waco, Texas. Waco, McLennan County, Texas
July 1969 [BJF is 30] A "Bobby Jack Fowler" is charged with illegal transportation of an open container of liquor and operating a motor vehicle without a driver’s license, listing his address as Hillsboro, Oregon. Included due to exact name match and consistency with age (30). Source: Sapulpa Daily Herald, July 28, 1969. Sapulpa, Creek County, Oklahoma
August 1969 [BJF is 30] A "Bobby Jack Fowler" is in legal trouble with the Department of Public Safety. They seek to suspend his operator’s license. Included due to exact name match and consistency with age (30). There is a different Bobby Jack Fowler who lived in San Angelo at this time but he was about 10 years younger (they should not be confused). Source: San Angelo Standard-Times, August 21, 1969. San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas
Late 1969 [BJF is approximately 30] A "Bobby Jack Fowler" is charged with murdering a man and woman but convicted only of discharging a firearm within city limits. Source: https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2012/10/bobby_jack_fowler_suspect_in_d.html Texas
February 13, 1970 [BJF is 30] A "Bobby Jack Fowler" is on a county road in McLennan County, Texas on Feb. 13th, 1970. He committed assault with intent to murder without malice by beating Alice Leggott on a county road, charged on or around March 20th, 1969. He is reported in the article on that date, listed as a habitual criminal from Dallas. Included due to exact name match and consistency with age (30). Presumably, he is generally of the Dallas area at about this time. Waco, McLennan County, Texas
Pre-1971 [BJF is approximately 25-31] Fowler served time in a Tennessee prison for sexual assault and attempted murder, described as tying up a woman, beating her with her own belt, covering her with brush, and leaving her to die. Source: https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2012/10/bobby_jack_fowler_suspect_in_d.html Tennessee
May 17, 1971 [BJF is 31] Fowler and Theresa Patton divorced, shortly before he moved to British Columbia. One would think this divorce was caused by the legal problems from 1970. Included due to divorce records. Texas, USA (divorce); British Columbia, Canada (move)
1973 [BJF is approximately 34] Years after 1973, Fowler is strongly suspected of killing Gale Weys near Clearwater, BC, and Pamela Darlington, part of the Highway of Tears cases.The suspicion implies he was in the area.

Included due to investigative reports.		 British Columbia, Canada
August 9, 1974 [BJF is 35] Colleen MacMillen, 16, is last seen hitchhiking in Lac La Hache. Her body is found near 100 Mile House off a logging road, later linked to Fowler’s DNA. Included due to forensic evidence. His involvement is a certainty. British Columbia, Canada - In the Highway 97 area around Lac La Hache and 100 Mile House.
Late December 1974 [BJF is 35] A "Bobby Jack Fowler," 35, of Dallas, escapes from Williamson County Jail while facing rape and attempted murder charges. He has not been convicted yet. He is recaptured after attempting to flag down a car on Interstate 65, adding an escape charge. Included due to exact name match and age consistency (35). Source: The Tennessean, January 1, 1975. Franklin, Williamson County, Tennessee
July 30, 1983 [BJF is 44] A "Bobby Jack Fowler" of Van Buren County committed arson by throwing gasoline on a neighbor’s house and the neighbor with intent to set a fire, was convicted of arson. Included due to exact name match and consistency with violent behavior; plausible doubt exists if this is a different Bobby Jack Fowler, if Van Buren County is an inaccurate location for the serial killer, or if the conviction is misattributed, requiring verification with Iowa court records. Source: The Dispatch, December 20, 1985. Van Buren County, Iowa
August 1983 – March 1986 [BJF is approximately 44-46] A "Bobby Jack Fowler" is incarcerated in Iowa for second-degree arson, serving two years and seven months of a 10-year sentence from his July 30, 1983, conviction; exact entry (August 1983) and exit (March 1986) dates are unknown. Iowa, USA
December 20, 1985 [BJF is 46] A "Bobby Jack Fowler" of Van Buren County loses his appeal in the Iowa Court of Appeals, upholding his July 30, 1983, arson conviction, claiming it was only attempted arson. Included due to exact name match and legal proceedings. Source: The Dispatch, December 20, 1985. Des Moines, Iowa
March 1986 [BJF is 46] A "Bobby Jack Fowler" of Van Buren County is paroled after serving two years and seven months of a 10-year sentence for second-degree arson from his July 30, 1983, conviction. Included due to exact name match and consistency with prior legal proceedings. Source: The Des Moines Register, April 18, 1986. Iowa, USA
November 29th/30th, 1986 [BJF is 47] It's possible that Bobby Jack Fowler is at or near Park Royal Plaza late on November 29th or early on November 30th, 1986. Speculative on my part and argued elsewhere. Park Royal Plaza parking lot, Hilton Head, South Carolina
August 28, 1987 [BJF is 48] A "Bobby Jack Fowler," 48, of 95 Mathews Drive, is arrested for public disorderly conduct on William Hilton Parkway (U.S. 278) near Hilton Head Plantation, released after posting a $118 bond.

Included due to exact name match and age consistency with birth year (1939).

But the address of "95 Mathews Drive" is a strange one as it is only associated with businesses by the writer’s research; the writer wonders if BJF gave his place of employment as his address for some reason.

Source: The Island Packet, September 2, 1987.		 Beaufort County, South Carolina
December 14, 1989 [BJF is approximately 50] A "Bobby J. Fowler"  was cited for driving under the influence around this time. His license was suspended from December 14th, 1989 to June 14th, 1990.

This "Bobby J. Fowler" was mentioned as being of 95 Matthews Drive, Hilton Head. Note, the address from August 28th only had one "t" in Mathews.

If it is the serial killer, this would place him in Beaufort County, South Carolina.

Source: The Beaufort Gazette, February 14, 1990.		 Hilton Head, Beaufort County, South Carolina
May 3, 1992 [BJF is 52] It is thought by the writer that Bobby Jack Fowler may have been at Beverly Beach State Park very early in the morning around 1:00 a.m., as he is a suspect in the murders of Sheila Swanson, 19, and Melissa Sanders, 17, who were last seen making a call from a payphone near the park where they had been camping. Their bodies were later discovered on October 10, 1992, by hunters in a wooded area near Eddyville, Oregon. Beverly Beach State Park, Oregon
January 18, 1993 – February 2, 1993 [BJF is 53-54] A "Bobby Jack Fowler" is suspected of murdering Kara Leas, 19, and Jennifer Esson, 16, last seen alive on January 18, 1993, in Newport, with bodies found on February 2, 1993, near U.S. 101 south of Newport; linkage established posthumously in 2012 based on new evidence. Source: The Oregonian, October 30, 2012. Newport, Lincoln County, Oregon
June 28, 1995, 8:43 p.m. [BJF is 56] A "Bobby Jack Fowler," 56, of Prescott Street, Portland, is arrested for first-degree kidnapping and attempted rape at a Newport motel after a woman reported he tried to rape and threatened to kill her, jumping from a third-story window (saved by a witness); held on $75,000 bond. Included due to exact name match, age consistency with birth year (1939), and incident details Source: Corvallis Gazette-Times, June 30, 1995. Newport, Lincoln County, Oregon
January 8, 1996 [BJF is 56] Fowler is convicted of kidnapping, attempted rape, sexual abuse, coercion, assault, and menacing; sentenced to 195 months. Oregon, USA (Lincoln County)
May 20, 2006 [BJF is 66] Fowler dies of lung cancer at age 66 while serving his sentence. Included due to prison records; plausible doubt exists if this is a different Bobby Jack Fowler or if the death details are misreported, requiring verification with Oregon State Penitentiary records. Oregon State Penitentiary, Oregon, USA

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