Thomas P Bower

George and Margaret Bower were blessed with the birth of their firstborn, Thomas Potter Bower on September 17, 1939, in Sanford, Florida. Thom was a member of Holy Cross Episcopal Church, in Sanford, FL where frequented the youth group and served as an acolyte. He learned to plow his family’s orange grove at age 12 and did this full-time at age 13 after the death of his own father.


After graduation from Seminole High School, Thom earned a BA Degree in Engineering at Florida State University and much later, a Masters Degree at California State University Los Angeles in California. Earlier, while a Doctoral Candidate and teacher at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA, Thom joined CORE (Congress Of Racial Equality) and served on the project planning committee. There he met and married Carlene Smith and together they were actively committed to the civil rights movement. Segregation laws made life very challenging for the interracial couple. The Smith family whole-heartedly embraced them and Thom became an immediate wonderful uncle to nephew Roland and niece Merial.


The Bowers moved to California and Thom began his Engineering career with Federal Electric and then Lockheed in Lompoc. The couple relocated to Los Angeles when Thom transferred to TRW Inc. They were blessed with two sons, Christian George (1964) and Blaine Thomas (1969). They were taught to love the Lord. Eventually, Thom and family established permanent residence in Torrance, CA. They worshipped at The Harbor Church and Thom also taught Mathematics at LA Southwest College, Los Angeles. An avid shutterbug, Thom photographed everything - festive events that they hosted, motor trips, church and children's activities, family vacations, etc.


With open arms through the years, Thom graciously extended the welcome mat, sharing his family household with young relatives Merial Smith and Wendell Nelson.


A few years after the death of wife Carlene, Thom was blessed with a second chance for love and companionship. He married an old friend, Paulette Taylor and embraced her adult children, Ibra (Teddy) and Renee Taylor and Debra Thorne, as his own. Thom also enjoyed reconnecting with his brother Bill and sister, Peggy in Florida though phone calls and recent visits. As empty nesters and Tom a retiree, he and Paulette enjoyed a more leisurely lifestyle of vacations, cruises and world travel. Tom enjoyed brain games, crossword puzzles, daily walks, weekly outings with son Christian, and visits with son Blaine, daughter-in-law, Brenda Bower, and grandson, Brandon Bower in Salinas, CA.


A good, strong man with a big heart, Thom was loved and appreciated for his generosity, accommodating spirit, and his quiet assistance to anyone in need. There was always room in his inn. He lived his Christian beliefs.


On March 8, 2021, Thomas Potter Bower, age 81, laid down his alzheimer's burden and passed into eternal rest. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Margaret Bower, half-brother Garth Eugene Bower and wife, Joy Harper Bower and his first wife, Carlene Bower.


Left to cherish his memory are: wife Paulette Bower; sons Christian George Bower and Rev. Blaine Thomas and wife, Brenda Kay Bower of Salinas, CA; brother William (Viki) Bower of Gulf Breeze, FL and sister Peggy (Paul) Cobb of Davie, FL; sister-in-law Patricia Smith; Paulette's children Ibra (Teddy) and Renee Taylor and Debra Thorne; nephews Matthew Cobb, Rebecca Cobb James and Dalton Bower, and Wendell Nelson and family; Randell Harrell and family, nieces Rebecca Cobb, and Merial Dumas; grandson Brandon Thomas Bower, Paulette’s grandsons, Treddis Russell, Stanley Thorne, Dwayne Davis, and Deangelo; and other relatives and friends.