BOWLIN, Thomas R. (1949-2018)

BOWLIN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 1/29/2019 at 00:31:56

Thomas R. Bowlin
(March 7, 1949 - January 8, 2018)

Services for Thomas R. Bowlin, 68, of Indianola, who passed away Monday, January 8, 2018 in Des Moines will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, January 13 at the First Assembly of God Church with burial following in the Indianola I.O.O.F. Cemetery. The visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.
Tom is survived by his wife Dixie; children, Brian (Christiana) Bowlin, Jeff (Jamie) Bowlin, Loni Toigo, Chad (Traci) Brewer, Emmalee Bowlin, Alison (Kenton) Frank; eleven grandchildren with one on the way and one great-grandchild; siblings, David Bowlin, Joyce Miller, Gary Bowlin and Jim Bowlin. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Lois Bowlin.
Tom was born March 7, 1949, in Melrose, Iowa to Robert and Lois (Hull) Bowlin. Tom was the oldest of 5 children and graduated from Interstate 35 High School in 1967. Tom was a proud Marine having served in the USMC during the Vietnam War receiving the National Defense Service Medal. He later served as Commander for the American Legion Post 165 in Indianola for 2 years.
Tom was raised on a registered Hereford farm and was a member of the Jackson Hilltoppers 4-H Club where he held various offices including President. Tom’s love of cattle, especially registered Herefords, extended throughout his entire life. He and Dixie raised Registered Herefords and most recently raised non-registered Herefords and Commercial Cattle. He was President of the Iowa Hereford Association for 2 years and was State Hereford Association Sale Manager at the Iowa Beef Expo for 3 years. Tom’s knowledge of cattle was impressive and he enjoyed nothing more than sharing that knowledge with his kids. The kids showed in 4-H and at State and National Junior shows and won many championships which made Tom very proud.
With Tom’s free time after retirement he enjoyed collecting and restoring Farmall and International tractors, a collection which grew to 16. He enjoyed displaying them at the Warren County Fair, going on county tractor rides as well as driving them in parades with his family. Tom rarely missed a local auction or the cattle sales in Knoxville where you would generally find him drinking a cup of coffee and talking with his numerous friends. Tom was quick to offer help or jump in the truck to go assist someone with a problem. Tom had a servant’s heart and enjoyed sharing his vast knowledge with anyone that needed it.
Most important to Tom was spending time with Dixie whether going to grandkids’ activities, helping her with catering events, dancing at weddings or just staying home. Tom loved his kids and their families and enjoyed most the times when they laughed together.
We are heartbroken that he was taken so soon. He will be missed tremendously but his presence will be felt by us as we figure out life without him. He taught us all so much about so many things and we find comfort knowing we will one day see him again.
Contributions can be made to the family for a memorial at the Warren County Fair. This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/