‘Celebration of Life’ Held for Two LDS Missionaries in Denton, Texas
Taylor KoleberTwo full-time missionaries serving for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints lost their lives in a two-vehicle accident in Denton, Texas, on Tuesday, May 18, 2021.
Elder Luke Masakazu Carter, 18, of Springville, Utah, and Elder Eli Jon Fowler, 20, of Pueblo West, Colorado — both serving in the Texas Fort Worth Mission — died in the head-on collision while returning from humanitarian work at First Refuge. The driver of a Ford F-250 pickup crossed over the center line and crashed into the missionaries Toyota Tacoma; both Elder Carter and Elder Fowler died at the scene. The driver of the Ford has been hospitalized; his condition is unknown, as is whether or not he will face charges.
Elder Carter had started his missionary service in November 2020, Elder Fowler in January 2020.
“The cause of the accident is being investigated by local law enforcement. It occurred during a heavy rainstorm. The driver of the other vehicle is hospitalized. Both missionaries were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident,” Church spokesman Sam Penrod said. “We express our love and deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Elder Carter and Elder Fowler and to the missionaries in the Texas Fort Worth Mission. We pray that all will be uplifted by the Savior’s love and feel comfort during this difficult and trying time.”
The investigation into the crash, which took place on a morning where there were several thunderstorms in the area, is ongoing. The church said both of the missionaries were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
“Anytime there’s a loss of life especially those who are in the service of the Lord, it’s heart wrenching,” said Calvin Griffin, the Denton Stake President of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints. “Sometimes things happen that’s beyond our understanding and so it has been very difficult and it’s so unreal right now because these were two excellent missionaries, not just average missionaries, but some of our best missionaries,” said Griffin.
On Wednesday, other missionaries with the Fort Worth Mission also reflected on the two young men.
“I feel like to get something from them, a stranger could have been at a distance and realized they were special. Their smiles were genuine and kind and their love for the gospel was, and still is, undeniable,” said Sister Celeste Cuessy, a fellow missionary serving alongside Elder Fowler and Elder Carter.
“I think they were just so kind and happy. And they were hardworking, they were always so ready to do God’s work.” -Sister Erynn Swinson
” I had the chance to go on one exchange with Elder Fowler before his passing. The day was full of service and a wonderful street contacting experience. Elder Fowler shamelessly stood in front of the crowded town square and hula hooped in an effort to make a new friend, and he succeeded. He proved to me that night that there was nobody he would pass by. Christ would never pass anyone by, why should he?” -Elder Skyler Chapman
“Elder Fowler was genuine in all he did. He spoke to every person he met with passion and love. He shared the light of Jesus Christ just by being himself.” – Sister Megan Astle
“Elder Carter’s laugh was contagious. He was always smiling. He never spoke poorly of anyone. He uplifted wherever he was. You knew you always had a friend in elder Carter.” – Sister Megan Astle
“They were just awesome people who knew why they were here in Texas serving the people here and they just had really strong faith,” said Elder Derek Hayes, originally from Utah. “[Elder Carter] always had a smile on his face, and [Elder Fowler] had the deepest voice I’d ever heard and one of the biggest hearts to go along with it. All of us missionaries know and his family know that we’ll see them again, I think that’s the most powerful truth that we know.”
Griffin said right now they’re relying on their faith to get through this and that’s what he’s reminding the other missionaries.
“It gave them comfort to know that what they were doing is the right thing and we all must prepare for our day and time that we know not when, but know it will come,” said Griffin.
Carter’s mother, Paulette, said in a message that her son was happy he was to be a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“He would get emotional just telling people about his mission call to serve the Lord. He loved people in general and certainly loved the people he met in Texas. He was so happy all the time it was like he was filled with a light that couldn’t be dimmed,” said Paulette Carter.
President Jeffrey Bertoldo of the Pueblo Colorado Stake cited the engaging, connecting personality of Elder Fowler, from the Pueblo West 2nd Ward and the third of five children of Cody and Kim Fowler.
“He loves being with people, and they tend to gather around him,” said the stake president of the young man. An Eagle Scout who learned to play the guitar by ear and played four years of soccer at Pueblo West High School, Elder Fowler worked both as a medical assistant and at the call center of an orthodontics practice prior to his mission.
“He was simply thrilled to be called into full-time missionary service and labor to bring others unto Christ. He was fulfilling his heart’s desire,” President Bertoldo said.
“We feel very strongly the love that Heavenly Father and the Savior have for Eli and his family. They have sure testimonies of our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ and know that as they rely on Them, it will help us through this difficult time. And they have a loving ward family and stake family that love and support them.”
President Eric Graves of the Springville Utah Spring Creek South Stake recalled interviewing Elder Carter as part of his mission application, asking him why he wanted to serve. “He said, ‘I want people to be as happy as I am,’” said President Graves, adding that “his mom describes him as her little ray of sunshine. …”
“One of his greatest traits is his contagious optimism. You want to be around him — it’s his contagious smile that just draws people in,” said the stake president of the active young man who enjoyed “Star Wars” and playing basketball.
Elder Carter, from the Spring Creek 1st Ward, is the second of seven children of Josh and Paulette Carter. His older brother is serving as a full-time missionary in the Nevada Reno Mission.
“They are a strong family,” President Graves said. “All of them have served faithfully in their assignments and callings and continue to do so. They exemplified great hope and faith as we shared this tragic news with them. They understand, but it doesn’t soften the hurt and the sting associated with losing someone so loved and so close to you.”
A special “Celebration of Life” event was held at the Denton Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, on 3000 Old North Road, Denton, TX, at 3 p.m on Sunday May 23, 2021; as a matter of policy and principle, the church covered all funeral and travel costs for the families.
During the Celebration, quotes from those who knew the missionaries were posted on walls of the church lobbies along with artwork and posters; within the chapel, funeral bouquets adorned the tables and area around the pulpit, with the front center row reserved for the family of Elder Fowler (Elder Carter’s family attended virtually from their home in Springfield UT) and the rows immediately behind reserved for the missionaries who served alongside the two men. Even half an hour before the celebration began, the chapel was at near capacity; by the time the event began in earnest, the entire overflow had filled as well. All those in attendance rose in respect as the Fowler’s filed in, and cameras projected the image of the pulpit and speakers onto the wall overhead so as to allow those in the overflow rows to still see the event.
Notable attendees included President Jeffrey Chapman of the Texas Fort Worth Mission, Stake President Calvin Griffin, Denton Mayor the Hon. Gerard Hudspeth, and representatives of Our Daily Bread and the Salvation Army (where both Elders regularly gave service).
Even though the COVID-19 pandemic caused Elder Carter to be reassigned to Texas from his initial destination of Japan, he reportedly loved it. He still studied Japanese with his grandfather in preparation, though he said he would “be happy even if [he] didn’t get to go to Japan at all, because [he loved] Texas and the people there so much”, said Elder Zach Jensen, who presented a sketch of Elder Carter’s life.
Elder Parker Hunt, who presented the sketch of Elder Fowler’s life, covered the young missionary’s irrepressible optimism. “Some people claimed they couldn’t ever remember seeing Eli without a smile…and [how he] beat anyone at Just Dance who had the guts to challenge him,” he said.
“We know we’ll be with [Eli] again, so let him see us smiling until then.”
“Being a missionary was just in [Elder Fowler’s] nature. He was a true example of Christlike love and of a deep love for his family” – Kylie McFall, close friend, testified through tears at the pulpit. “I knew the Lord had handpicked these incredible men to serve alongside Him… with their amazing hearts, they get to finish their missions alongside Him until that perfect day when we are all reunited.”
Her husband, Brian McFall, agreed. “Luke Carter was a handsome, intelligent, and caring young man…[and] Luke was a hard worker. He and his first companion helped us sow crops in our garden. He asked questions, got dirty, and didn’t quit.”
Of Elder Fowler, he said, “Eli Fowler was the light of the room. His humor, presence, and courage allowed him to be noticed by others.”
In true fashion of a celebration of life, there was frequent laughter, appreciative and surprised, scattered during the various speakers.
“As a mother, I never had one minute of anxiety or concern about him being there,” said Paulette Carter, via their recorded message.
“My heart is so full… as we’ve spent time with Elder Fowler and Elder Carter’s family, that—they’ve left us, but they’ve left us with so many joyful memories… and the ginormous impact they’ve had on is—just—they’ve also left us their families, and that had been a sweet blessing to realize we are now bonded to their families” – Sister Chapman, Wife of Texas Fort Worth Mission President Jeffrey Chapman.
President Chapman also explained the significance of the sacrament ordinance and the focus on Christ and the Atonement and how it connects to missionary work.
“That’s what we do: give body, might, mind, and heart, and that’s what these two did. They lived it. They’re still living it…and that work has not stopped, and so we will continue to count Elder Carter and Elder Fowler among our numbers as they continue their labors [beyond the veil].”
President Calvin Griffin called on the attending missionaries for an impromptu rendition of the hymn Called To Serve, inviting all who knew the hymn in the congregation to sing along, before Bishop Michael Martino (who conducted the celebration) opened the pulpit at the end of the service for the Fowler family to address the congregation.
Elder Fowler’s father, Cody Fowler, counseled those in attendance to consider their blessings. “When was the last time you did something for the first time? Elder Fowler had a zest for learning. He was always learning. Never bored…and I know Elder Carter and Elder Fowler were a team.”
The Celebration of Life ended with a video presentation of each departed missionary in turn; a variety of photos from throughout their lives played against a backdrop of gospel music, including family photos, baby pictures, prom pics, candid photos of Eli and Luke outdoors and having fun and living life—there were even Snapchat photos in the mix.
“I am so grateful for the love you offered in service to my son,” said Mrs. Fowler. “I never knew in this life you could grieve and feel such pain and such peace at the same time.” She then quoted John 14:27. “Thank you so much for being such a big part of my son’s life.”
John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
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