Thomas Edward Bowen
April 24, 1949 ~ December 7, 2015
Thomas "Tom" Edward Bowen, 66, of Vienna, Virginia, passed into life eternal on Monday, December 7, 2015. Tom was born in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the son of George Levi Bowen, Jr. and Alfreta Hobaugh Bowen. He graduated from Grove City College in 1971, and received a Master of Science from Shippensburg State College in 1977.
Prior to retirement, Tom was an Electronics Engineer with the Department of Defense. He was passionate about missions throughout his life, and led numerous youth groups on mission projects. After retirement, Tom dedicated his life to mission work, travelling throughout the eastern United States and to Sudan to provide disaster relief and rebuilding homes for those in need. Tom was actively involved with Project SPY (Service Project Youth) through Fieldstone United Methodist Church in Christiansburg, VA, and participated in early response teams to provide humanitarian relief to victims of natural disasters, including Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy. Tom was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and a former youth director at Wesley United Methodist Church in Vienna, VA.
Tom is survived by his wife of 38 years, Catharine Carls Bowen; two daughters, Rebecca Catharine Bowen (Andy Hite) and Katherine Grace Bowen (Daniel Davis), as well as one brother, George "Skip" Levi Bowen, III, and two sisters, Beverly Bowen Kajko (Ed) and Wendy Bowen McKeithan (Oliver).
A viewing will be held on Friday, December 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 West Maple Avenue, Vienna, VA 22180. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 12 at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen's United Methodist Church, 9203 Braddock Road, Burke, VA 22015, followed by interment at St. Matthew's Lutheran Cemetery, 9283 Congress Street, New Market, VA 22844. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Tom Bowen to United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) at http://www.umcor.org/
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Prior to retirement, Tom was an Electronics Engineer with the Department of Defense. He was passionate about missions throughout his life, and led numerous youth groups on mission projects. After retirement, Tom dedicated his life to mission work, travelling throughout the eastern United States and to Sudan to provide disaster relief and rebuilding homes for those in need. Tom was actively involved with Project SPY (Service Project Youth) through Fieldstone United Methodist Church in Christiansburg, VA, and participated in early response teams to provide humanitarian relief to victims of natural disasters, including Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy. Tom was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and a former youth director at Wesley United Methodist Church in Vienna, VA.
Tom is survived by his wife of 38 years, Catharine Carls Bowen; two daughters, Rebecca Catharine Bowen (Andy Hite) and Katherine Grace Bowen (Daniel Davis), as well as one brother, George "Skip" Levi Bowen, III, and two sisters, Beverly Bowen Kajko (Ed) and Wendy Bowen McKeithan (Oliver).
A viewing will be held on Friday, December 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 West Maple Avenue, Vienna, VA 22180. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 12 at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen's United Methodist Church, 9203 Braddock Road, Burke, VA 22015, followed by interment at St. Matthew's Lutheran Cemetery, 9283 Congress Street, New Market, VA 22844. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Tom Bowen to United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) at http://www.umcor.org/
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry for your loss.
We admired & appreciated Tom’s servant leadership at St. Stephen’s, Cathy, & we hold you & your families in prayer.
Cathy and family, know my heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you.
Holding you and your family before the light and love of God as you all make your journey through this. May you find comfort and strength in God’s loving arms.
Dear Cathy, We will always remember Tom’s huge smile and passion for mission. God’s grace and peace be with you. Love, Jean and Jerry
We are very saddened by Tom’s passing & rejoicing in his Salvation. We continue to hold you all in prayer. In Christ’s love,
We will miss Tom for his love of people and his generous devotion to serving others in need. Tom was untiring in his work on Disaster Relief Teams. Tom was especially valuable on the DiRT that went for Hurricane Sandy. I will miss him.
Tom will be greatly missed. We have fond memories of spending summers together digging holes and measuring planks of wood. Because of Tom, I know how to build a few ramps! Blessings to you, Cathy, and to the rest of your family
So sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss.
We have very fond memories of Tom at St. Stephen’s UMC, especially all the work he did for Grace Ministries. Cathy and all the family are in our prayers. Bill and Barbara Surles
In the 10+ years I knew Tom I grew to love and respect this Brother in Christ. This somewhat reserved gentleman, interesting to talk to and with a fine sense of humor, quietly went about the business of walking The Walk. His service to countless others through Missions is a lasting example for us all. I pray that Cathy, Becca, Katy, Daniel and Andy will find peace in remembering the promise of our Savior’s birth, and your broken hearts will be healed.
My love and prayers are with you Cathy and the whole family. God has a master of many skills with him now. I will miss this man but praise God for knowing him.
Sending all kinds of healing love and prayers to the Bowen family and Cathy. I was blessed to watch Tom’s faith in ACTION at Fieldstone and witness a true believer. His work and legacy will continue in the hearts of many that he touched, including me. I am grateful to have known this wonderful man. Prayers for peace to all of you.
Dear Cathy, We are so very sad to learn about Tom. You are in our prayers for God’s Peace and Comfort. Tom will be missed at St. Stephen’s! We missed you both on our trip to Sneedville! Much love in Christ, Jeanette and Ed Parham
I am so sorry for your loss, Cathy. I am happy that I was able to get to know Tom a little. He was a delightful person!
Dear Cathy, I was so sorry to hear of the passing of your husband this week. You are such a dear, kind person and I know this is such a difficult time for you and your family. Please know that I keep all of you in my prayers, and send my deepest condolences. Hugs, Patty Ferris
Tom was my hero. I do not know how many trips we went on together to Mississippi, Central Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, but it was a lot. Tom was a friend to those in need everywhere. I will never forget his love for his neighbor no matter where or how far away they were. I miss you my friend.
Cathy, dear, What a shock! I will call you in a couple weeks. Ruth
Dear Sweet Cathy, I am so sorry for your loss. I had no idea Tom was ill. I am sending you love, hugs and my deepest sympathies. Love to you, Fran
Tom was a great man with great faith. We have missed his quiet spirit and big compassionate heart. Love and sympathy to Cathy and family.
Dear Cathy and girls, you are all in my thoughts and prayers. I am with you in spirit. Lovingly, Carole
My sincere condolences and prayers to you and the family of Tom. What an incredible, compassionate and amazing man! I met Tom via mission trips with Floris UMC and worked with him on 2 trips. His faith, hard work for others in need and Christian values inspired me and I am so sad he is gone, but know he is rewarded in heaven. Thoughts and prayers for you all.
Please accept our sincere sympathy for your loss. Tom was a a vital part of Wesley Methodist. He could always be counted on for making breakfast casserole as well as lending his voice to the choir. He led a meaningful life. In peace, John, Frances, Meredith and Maxwell Lee (from Wesley UMC)
I’m sorry I didn’t get to know him better. The only memory I have is the time that a church group from Wesley had a cookout at your house.
Our daughter, Julia Rhinehart, was active in youth group for several years that Tom was the group leader. We were so fortunate to have such a wonderful man as her group leader. Tom was a very caring and giving man who gave in so many ways to Wesley and in mission trips. Our heartfelt condolences to his wife and family. It is always difficult to say goodbye to someone we love, even though we know that he is now with God in Heaven. Warm Regards,
Dear Cathy and Family, With love, thoughts and prayers, I will be thinking about all of you during these difficult days ahead. May our Lord Bless and Keep you. Love, Sibyl Carrick
Our thoughts & prayers are with the Bowen family. Tom was such a dear man & so devoted to outreach as well as his family. We enjoyed working with him in various outreach projects at St. Stephen’s. We will miss him greatly.
Dear Bowen Family, I’m so sorry for your loss. Although I never met Tom, Becca always spoke so highly and lovingly of her father that I felt like I knew him. He was a wonderful, caring man who will be deeply missed. My thoughts are with you all at this difficult time.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Cathy. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Cathy and family, We are saddened to learn of Tom’s passing. He was loved and appreciated for his many years of dedication to Wesley’s youth ministries. Our sons all enjoyed the mission trips that you were both a part of, and we are thankful that Tom touched so many. He was a wonderful man and leaves a wonderful legacy. God knows that he made a difference to many. Peace, Bill & Toy Haugh
Cathy and family, We are saddened to learn of Tom’s passing. He was loved and appreciated for his many years of dedication to Wesley’s youth ministries. Our sons all enjoyed the mission trips that you were both a part of, and we are thankful that Tom touched so many. He was a wonderful man and leaves a wonderful legacy. God knows that he made a difference to many. Peace, Bill & Toy Haugh
Cathy and family, We are saddened to learn of Tom’s passing. He was loved and appreciated for his many years of dedication to Wesley’s youth ministries. Our sons all enjoyed the mission trips that you were both a part of, and we are thankful that Tom touched so many. He was a wonderful man and leaves a wonderful legacy. God knows that he made a difference to many. Peace, Bill & Toy Haugh
Please accept our sincere condolences. We will miss Tom’s quiet presence.