Thomas C. Bowman, age 79 of Ogallala, passed away on Saturday, August 18, 2012 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
Rosary and Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church with Fr. Bob Chamberlain and Fr. Bryan Ernest as concelebrants. Committal services with military honors will be held at 2:30 p.m. (CDT) at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery south of Maxwell, Nebraska. Casual dress is encourage to all those attending Tom’s services.
Tom was born December 1, 1932 at Lincoln, Nebraska, the son of Carl and Mary (Schrader) Bowman. He attended schools in Ogallala and later graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in Sidney, Nebraska. He was a member of the Nebraska National Guard and later enlisted in the U.S. Air Force serving as a Military Policeman and a radio operator. He married Sarah Curtis on July 26, 1954 at Keesler AFB, Mississippi. The couple moved to Ogallala to make their home after Tom’s discharge in 1955.
Tom had been employed at various construction jobs and also worked at the Ogallala Community Hospital in the maintenance department. He was a longtime member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus and ushered at the church for many years. Tom had been a member of the Ogallala Optimist Club, the VFW and the Military Order of the Cooties, The Ogallala Moose Lodge, Elks Lodge and the Eagles Club, the American Legion and the 40 and 8. He had also been an EMT and a member of the Dive Recovery Team and served as a lifeguard and swim instructor. He enjoyed foot, football, family and friends and playing cards at the Senior Center. He loved being a member of the Ogallala Community and enjoyed volunteering his time and talents in any way he could.
He is survived by two sons, Theodore C. Bowman of Ogallala and Curtis V. and wife Beth A. Johnson- Bowman of Arizona; and many other cousins and relatives including Jack and Marlene Chamberlain and family, Fr. Bob Chamberlain, Don Schrader and Don King. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Sarah.
A memorial has been established to the Keith County Senior Center in his memory. Online condolences may be sent at gubserfuneralhome.com. Cremation was chosen and there will be no visitation. Gubser Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.