Snorkeling Accident Claims Life of Bell Shoals Baptist Camp Counselor

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Correction: This story has been updated to include corrected information about Jacob Fowler’s education. His wife reported that Fowler’s Facebook profile had not been updated. Fowler, she said, graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida at age 20 and just completed his second year of medical school at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) in Bradenton.

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Fowler is remembered as a friend who "would be there in times of need" and as a man who wanted to be "the best doctor he could be so that he might help others."

Fowler, 22, a University of South Florida graduate, working as a counselor at a Bell Shoals Baptist Church summer camp in Alachua County, drowned June 27 after snorkeling at Camp Kulaqua.

“We know from statements by his friend he was trying to dive to the bottom of a spring, which is 50 feet deep in some places. I swam there myself,” said High Springs Police Chief James Troiano. “According to his friends he kept diving and trying to get to bottom which could have led to him passing out. His friends found his body in the water and with the help of lifeguards, they performed CPR. Our fire department also tried to revive him.”

Fowler was transported to Shands Hospital at the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he was pronounced dead at 7 p.m.

Camp Kulaqua is a 600-acre camp and retreat center about 20 miles from Gainesville. Troiano said Fowler’s is the first death at the camp in the more than 20 years it’s been open.

“It’s a tragedy," Troiano added." He seemed to be a very motivated young man who just wanted to teach young kids about Christ.”

A preliminary report from the Alachua County Medical Examiner’s Office lists the cause of death as drowning. It will take up to four months for a full toxicology report but there is no indication alcohol or drugs played any part in the case, Troiano said.

“He was spirited and full of life, a very faithful man of God,” said Jason Nathaniel Page, Fowler’s cousin. “He was a caring individual who was happy being a servant for God trying to help bring others towards salvation.”

Fowler, 22, graduated from Riverview High School in 2006 and from the University of South Florida at age 20. He recently completed his second year of education at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) in Bradenton. Fowler leaves a wife, Diana, parents Bill and Patty Fowler, and his brothers, Matthew and Zachary.

A special gathering for friends and family of Jacob Fowler is set for Wednesday June 29 from 6:45-8 p.m. in the chapel at Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon, at 2102 Bell Shoals Road.

His cousin’s quest to become a doctor was driven by service to others, Page said.

“He wanted to be the best doctor he could be so that he might help others. He valued deeply his family and we will all miss him. Twenty-two is certainly too young to die but his family knows he is in a better place.”

Harry Chiu, a friend of Fowler from USF, said Fowler was the type of friend who was always ready to lend a hand.

“Jake was my friend, a guy that will be there in times of need. If you were to ask Jake what is the most important thing to him, he would tell you that Jesus lives, and he loves you. He was a quiet guy, but very intelligent, he devoted his life to live for Jesus whether if it is sharing his passion on the choir playing bass guitar on Sunday service or Wednesday night refuge, or being one of the few strong Christians that is going to medical school with the unwavering faith.”

Chiu said he would often hang out with Fowler between classes at USF where they would chat and pray.  

“We would have lunch and share our prayer request.  He was a very humble person, very caring, and a good listener. I was always jealous that he graduated with like a 3.8-3.9 GPA, and got a high MCAT score, and got into medical school when he was 21.”

Fowler’s wife, Diana, was a perfect match for him, Chiu said.

“Both shared the same passion for God, and I remember at their wedding, their prayer was everyone who does not know Jesus would come to salvation one day. They both would go on mission trips and volunteer for church activities. He was just a loyal humble servant that everyone at church loved.”

“Jacob Fowler went home to be with Jesus earlier tonight,” said senior pastor Stephen Rummage and Victor Flores, pastor of student ministry, in a statement on the church’s Website , posted late June 27. “We ask that you pray for the Fowler family including Jacob's precious wife Diana, his parents Bill and Patty Fowler, and family,” said the statement.

The church is currently running two summer camps at site; one for seventh and eight graders and a separate camp for high school students. Both camps run June 27 to July 1.

The Bell Shoals Baptist statement said ministerial staff are on hand at Camp Kulaqua to provide crisis counseling for any students who need it but “our plans are to continue with camp.”