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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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Thomas Bowler
THOMAS BOWLER
Cedar Rapids
Thomas (Tom) L. Bowler, 67, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 26, 2014, at Crossing Rivers Health Hospice in Prairie du Chien, Wis., following
a courageous battle with cancer.
Born June 10, 1947, in Marengo, Iowa, the son of George H. and Earleen (Knock) Bowler, Tom grew up in the Hiawatha/Cedar Rapids area where he graduated from Washington High School. In his early years, he worked with his father in Bowler Construction and, later, in real estate and insurance.
Tom's integrity, loyalty and easy-going nature earned him the respect of all those who knew him. People who met him once remembered him always. Tom was an avid outdoorsman who especially enjoyed bass fishing and duck hunting. He was happiest when he was fishing on the Mississippi River or operating construction equipment on his property.
His affiliations were many but those of which he was most proud include: president of the Iowa B.A.S.S. Federation Nation for over 30 years, lifetime member of B.A.S.S., active member of Ducks Unlimited of Iowa and Pheasants Forever, the Iowa Association of Realtors, the Masonic Lodge and patron of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Cedar Rapids.
He is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Jill Bowler-Petersen of Cedar Rapids; son, Jamie (Tara) Bowler of Marion; his significant other of over 24 years, Judy O'Kane of Prairie du Chien, Wis., and her son, Kyle (Jen) Schmidt of Arlington Heights, Ill.; grandchildren, Taylor Petersen, Kaden Bowler and Katelynn Bowler; a sister, Pat (Don) Auman of Marion; brothers-in-law, Jack (Twyla) O'Kane of Crossville, Tenn., and Jerry (Marjorie) O'Kane of Penn Valley, Calif.; sister-in-law, Sherry O'Kane of Largo, Fla.; an uncle, Bob Bowler of Phoenix, Ariz.; aunts Lela (Keith) Reif of Cedar Rapids and Jeanette Elgin of Center Point; numerous nephews, nieces and cousins; countless friends; and his constant companion, "Socks," the cat.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jim O'Kane; and his golden retriever, "Red."
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, immediately followed by a Celebration of Life Memorial at the Garrity Funeral Home, 704 S. Ohio St., Prairie du Chien, Wis.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to ARC of East Central Iowa, 680 Second St. SE, Suite 200, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401; Camp Courageous, P.O. Box 418, Monticello, IA 52310; Make A Wish Foundation of Iowa, 3024 104th St., Urbandale, IA 50322; or a charity
of your choice in his
memory.
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