Thomas A. Bowen's Obituary
Mr. Thomas A. Bowen, 75, passed away peacefully Thursday morning, April 11, 2024, in Whitehall. He was born February 1, 1949, in Muskegon to Louis Lynn and Mary (Tyler) Bowen and was a lifelong resident. He spent his adult life working first at American Coil Spring, alongside his brother and father, and then as a CNC machine operator, first at Sealed Power High Lift and concluding his career at General Dynamics.
Tom married Susan K. Rust on October 6, 1973 in Muskegon, MI, and together they raised two children, Mary Lynn and Brett. During his childhood, the family spent summers at the family cottage on the shores of Lake Michigan. This sparked his love of boating, West Michigan sunsets and seashores. He enjoyed sports and was an avid fan of the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers. Tom continued his love of the game by supporting his son Brett’s high school hockey career, traveling with many friends who became family. He supported Mary Lynn’s love of theater by attending her plays and singing performances. He spent many hours playing softball, going to state and national tournaments, and at Buikema field in Muskegon. Tom and Sue, along with his sister and brother-in-law, started a concession stand when they saw the need for food at weekend softball tournaments. He enjoyed casinos, board games and trivia. He loved to travel and enjoyed trips to Florida, Nevada, North Carolina and Virginia. Tom’s family was a huge part of his life, with countless hours spent with his extended family of sisters, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews, often resulting in family game nights. He loved his two grandchildren immensely and cherished his blanket with their picture and told anyone who would listen about them. Tom was best known for his ability to let you know how he felt about people and issues. He was also known to do anything for anyone, always up for an adventure and had a heart as big as the ocean that he loved.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Susan; two children Mary Lynn, Brett (Erika) Bowen; his sisters Barbara (Bill) DeGroot; Mindy (Greg) Fernandes; sister-in-law Sandi (Marvin) Frein; brother-in-law Edward (Gail) Rust; Grandchildren Adelaine and Nolan Bowen; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis Bowen and Mary Chaplin; his brothers, William and David Bowen; his sister-in-law, Diane Tardani; brother-in-law, Claude Rust; nephews, Kirk Bowen and Dean DeGroot and niece, Deanna Block.
A service to celebrate and remember Tom’s life will be held Friday, April 19, at 2:00 PM at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444. Visitation will be Thursday, April 18, from 2-4 & 6-8 PM, also at the funeral home. Contributions in memory of Mr. Bowen may be made to Hospice of Michigan.
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