Name: Visitation for Dr. Thomas Joseph McGowan Jr.
Start: 2019-08-02T14:30:00.000Z
End: 2019-08-02T16:00:00.000Z
Location: St. Lawrence Parish

Age 80, of West Bend, WI, died on July 15, 2019 at his home on Big Cedar Lake. Tom was a loving husband and best friend to Catherine (nee Moylan) McGowan, devoted father to children Thomas (Beth) McGowan, Mary McGowan Brennan, John (Ginny) McGowan, Jim (Sara) McGowan, Cathy (Dave) McGowan Krug, doting grandfather to Mary McGowan Neuhoff, Thomas J McGowan IV, Anne McGowan Weber, Austin Conner, the late Abbey Conner, Lucy Brennan, Nuala Brennan, Joseph Krug, Maxwell Krug and Nora McGowan. Caring brother to Marguerite (nee McGowan) Hora and faithful companion to his four-legged buddy, Seamus. His legacy of courageous compassion will live on in their hearts. Tom will be remembered for his strength. Physically, he was a formidable protector, able to endure extreme physical pain without batting an eye, while his heartfelt toasts at Christmas dinners provided an annual reminder of the infallible strength of his love for friends and family.
Tom grew up in Chicago and attended Loyola University Dental School where he obtained his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS.) degree. He moved to Wisconsin to obtain his Master of Science in Orthodontics at Marquette University, after which he opened his own practice serving the Menomonee Falls community. Outside of his practice, Dr. McGowan served students of orthodontics medicine for over thirty years as a clinical professor at Marquette University, and was an attending orthodontist on the cleft palate team at Children's Hospital, Milwaukee. Additionally, Dr. McGowan earned his Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.
A visitation will be held Fri., Aug. 2 at St. Lawrence Parish, 4886 Hwy 175, Hartford, WI 53027 from 9:30 am until the time of the Memorial Mass at 11 am.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Dr. Thomas McGowan to the Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Reconstruction Fund at Children's Hospital Foundation, PO Box 1997 MS 3050 Milwaukee, WI 53201 or Kraemer Cancer Center, St. Joseph's Hospital, 3200 Pleasant Valley Rd., West Bend, WI 53095.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Jul. 29, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas McGowan

9 Entries

Mary J

September 2, 2025

Dr. McGowan was kind and compassionate, treating patients with his expertise. Not being from the area, I am forever grateful that our family had found his practice. Also, his staff was wonderful too. Rest in peace. Thank you!

Nora McGowan

April 25, 2024

My Grandpa Tom was the best grandpa in the world. He was so gentle with those big hands always wanting to hold me as a little girl. I remember from pictures how he would walk me down to the beach and hold my hand and let me play in the water with him. He was such a kind man. At his funeral I just remember everyone coming up to me and my grandma telling us how much they loved him and how kind he was. He was loved my many including me. He was the best grandpa anyone could ever ask for. He would always hold me even if he wasn't aloud to because of his medical conditions and I know he and abbey are wating up in heaven for the rest of us to be reunited again. I love you so so so much grandpa. Rest in peace can't wait to see you again.

Sue Jeskewitz

August 1, 2019

Tom was a wonderful man and will be remembered by anyone he encountered. He was kind, thoughtful, gentle and a true friend and loved life!!!! (I loved how he laughed with his whole body)
One of my fondest memories of him is on a ski trip to Colorado. We stopped at a restaurant and there was a bus of high school students that had been on a ski trip, also. What we heard from the bus was, Dr. Mc Gowan, Dr. Mc Gowan, Dr. Mc Gowan is here!!!! What a group of cheerleaders excited to see their orthodontist!!!! How many kids get excited about their orthodontist??? BUT true evidence of his personality, his kindness and his caring. What a wonderful man!!!! Rest in Peace, my friend.

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Eternal Affection Arrangement- BASKET INCLUDED

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Favorite memory horseback riding with Uncle Tom !

Jeanne O'Grady

July 30, 2019

My Uncle Tom McGowan was one of the most amazing and interesting men I have ever known.
He is exactly the kind of uncle a young niece could ever want. Words that come to mind when I think about Uncle Tom are funny, courageous, giving, caring, loving, sharing, adventurous, giver of his special gift of oral surgery, life changer, just to name a few. I feel especially blessed to have known him. There isn't enough room here to write exactly how I feel about my Uncle Tom. He was just the kind of person that you always wanted to be around. He will forever be in my heart ♥ He and Aunt Catherine have created a beautiful legacy. A family that love them fiercely now and forever more. My Mom loved him so much as do I. He will be welcomed with open arms and hugs in heaven by all his family, relatives, loved ones. He will be with Abby to comfort her and hold her in his arms. Love you Uncle Tom ♥