Thomas Bowman, of Decatur, passed away unexpectedly in a golf cart accident at his home on July 1, 2023. Tom was born December 1, 1945 in
Paris, Illinois to Parke William and Theresa Lucille Retzer-Bowman (later Theresa (Wyatt) Adams). While growing up in Paris he enjoyed his work as a caddy at the Elk's Country Club and later worked at the Shaw Lumberyard. After graduating from high school in 1964, he attended Eastern Illinois University where he earned a Bachelor's Degree. Tom then enlisted in the United States Navy and worked as a radarman on the USS Brumby, a destroyer escort. He served during the Cuban Missile Crisis and spent time stationed in Europe. During his time in the Navy, Tom was awarded The Navy Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Navy Honorable Discharge Button. Tom continued his service to our country in the Navy Reserves until 1974.
After completing 4 years of active duty service, he returned to Eastern Illinois University where he earned a Master's in Education and met his future wife, Sandy Peterson. They married in 1973, moved to Rantoul, and had two daughters, Kristen and Theresa "Teri". Tom worked at Flo-Con in Champaign until 1981 when he began his career as a contracting specialist for the Department of Defense at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul. When Chanute closed in 1993 he moved to Lebanon, Illinois where he continued his work for DITCO-DISA at Scott Air Force Base until he retired in June of 2010. During his career, he earned another Master's Degree in 2003 from Webster University.
Despite all of these accomplishments, the greatest and most rewarding work he did was raise his two daughters. He will be remembered by them for being an engaged and devoted father who spent countless hours playing pitch & catch, taking them on bike rides, cross-country vacations & camping trips, hunting willy worms on country roads, for creating some of their most favorite homemade dishes, and teaching them how to drive while sitting on his lap. His grandchildren will remember the bubble gum he always kept in a secret place just for them, the time he spent with them at the shooting range, the golf cart rides around his property, and time spent catching tadpoles with them at the pond. Because of his devotion & commitment to his children and grandchildren, they will cherish many, many wonderful memories of him and he will live on in their hearts. Tom will be remembered by his entire family for being just about impossible to beat at cards, his love of golf, sense of humor, knack for telling stories, and his infectious "belly" laugh. His neighbors will remember him for his love of working in his yard and for cleaning up their yards after a storm before cleaning his own. He was a generous man (except at the card table!) who set a great example to those who were lucky enough to know and love him.
Tom is survived by his former wife Sandy Bowman, his beloved daughters Kristen (Matthew) Owen and Theresa Morgan, as well as his brothers Gary (Linda d. 2021) Bowman and Bob (Mary) Bowman. Tom was blessed with four amazing grandchildren who all survive: Andrew & Courtney Owen and Henry & Merle Morgan.
At Thomas' request, there will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that friends and loved ones consider a donation to Mt. Zion Parks & Recreation in his memory. Please mail to: The Village of Mt. Zion, 1400 Mt. Zion Parkway, Mt.
Zion, IL 62549. Attention: Thomas Bowman Memorial Tree Donation