Tom W. Bowen, Sr., age 93, of Chipley, Florida passed away peacefully at his home on June 14, 2025. He was born July 16, 1931 in Miami, Florida to the late Reeves and Wilhelmina Bowen. At an early age he moved to Chipley with his parents and an older brother where he started school and attended the First Presbyterian Church at their former location. The family later moved to Tallahassee where Tom attended high school, graduating in 1949 from Leon High.

He enrolled at Florida State University where he was active in various organizations, and graduating in 1953 with a degree in Social Welfare. He later joined the Army, and was stationed in Germany until discharged in 1955. That same year he married Saradee "Dee" Davis of Quincy, Florida. They began married life in Chicago, Illinois where he did graduate studies in Social Welfare at the University of Chicago. He later received a Master's degree from Florida State University in Learning Disabilities.

Tom returned to Chipley with his wife and oldest son where he was active in the Presbyterian Church as a Sunday School Teacher, a Deacon and an Elder. He taught Special Education for 28 years at Roulhac Middle School, and was involved with Special Education and the Washington-Holmes (ARC) Assocation for Citizens. He and Dee spent summers in Montreat, North Carolina with their four children, and took opportunities to travel around the country, and later, travel abroad.

His loving wife says of him, "He is very thrifty and hates for things to go to waste. He is fun loving. He is a devout Christian, a devoted family man, a gardener, a star gazer, a bird watcher, a handy man, a map lover, a mountain hiker, and a traveler who meanders the by-ways."

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, an older brother, Reeves "Bud" Bowen, Jr., and a son, William R. Bowen. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Saradee "Dee" Bowen, sons, Tom Bowen, Jr. (Virgie), Forrest Bowen (Jenny), and daughter, Mary Bowen. Also, a sister, Betty Bowen Cousar, and numerous grandchildren and several great grandchildren.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the Emerald Coast Hospice staff, as well as the outpouring of kindness and support of wonderful friends and relatives.