Judge Dean Fowler, President of the 73rd East Texas Yamboree, is a Gilmer native and lifelong resident of Upshur County. He is a 1980 graduate of Gilmer High School and an alumnus of The University of Texas at Tyler and Southern Methodist University School of Law.
Always active in the community, Judge Fowler has served as a local Bishop for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for over six years, on the board of directors of the Upshur County Community Players and the Historic Upshur Museum. He is on the executive committee of the East Texas Council of Governments and a supporting member of the Upshur County Arts Council. First elected to the East Texas Yamboree Association board of directors in 2003, he and his wife Nan have worked as Yamboree delegates to the Texas Folklife Festival since 2002 and have chaired the delegation since 2005.
Judge Fowler has said, “Some of my fondest memories involve the Yamboree. I loved attending the carnival with my parents when I was a child and remember how sad I would be on Saturday night when my Dad said it was time to go home until next year. I remember my Mom’s yam pies and her winning the Yam Pie contest. I think anyone who spent time in Upshur County, as a teenager, has memories of running around the square with friends during the Yamboree. In 1979 I escorted Queen Nan in the XLII pageant and since then have watched our children, Jed and Madeline, perform as members of several Queens’ Courts. The Yamboree is just wonderful. It is a remarkable and unique celebration of family, friends and community.”
2010 Yamboree President
