Arlen Fulwiler Obituary

Arlen "Buttermilk" Louis Fulwiler

April 7, 1937 -

April 18, 2026

Arlen "Buttermilk" Louis Fulwiler passed away at his Dandridge home surrounded by family on April 18, 2026. He was 89 years old. Arlen was born on April 7, 1937, in Fall Branch, TN to parents Howard Milton Fulwiler and Cynthia Agnes Turner Fulwiler.

Arlen attended Fall Branch School, graduating in 1955. He was a talented athlete and had a lifelong interest in and love of baseball. Arlen received a full baseball scholarship to Lincoln Memorial University, where he graduated in 1959 with a bachelor's degree in physical education and biology. In 1991, he was inducted into the LMU Sports Hall of Fame. Arlen completed his master's degree as a Reading Specialist at East Tennessee State University in 1962.

Shortly after finishing his master's, Arlen settled in Wheaton, Maryland, and later became a Professor of Reading at Montgomery College. There he met his wife of almost 58 years, Karen Lee Sweeney Fulwiler. They married in August 1968 and several years later moved to Frederick, Maryland. Arlen continued teaching classes at Montgomery College until his retirement in 2007.

Known as a man of deep faith, Arlen attended New Life Foursquare Church in Frederick, Maryland where he served on the church board and as an elder for many years. Arlen also worked on the planning committee responsible for the foundation of New Life Christian School.

Arlen moved back to Tennessee in 2013 to be near his youngest daughter and grandchildren. There he joined The Crossing Church in Kodak. Arlen is survived by his wife Karen, brothers John Howard Fulwiler (wife Madeleine) and Daniel Richard Fulwiler (wife Teresa), cousin Alfred Richard Turner (wife Joy), daughters Virginia Fulwiler Smyers (husband Brian) and Mary Elizabeth Saunders (husband Cole), foster son Charles Eugene Cooper Jr., and grandchildren Alicia, Cade, and MacKenzie.

Celebrations of life will be held in Tennessee and in Maryland at future dates. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lincoln Memorial University Athletic Department.