Birth date: Oct 21, 1939 Death date: Mar 27, 2020
Claude Thomas Dowell was born on 10/21/39 in Perry, OK, to Claude Dowell and Ida Nelson. He was a loving son, husband, father, and grandfather. Tom was a remarkable person in many ways. His natural talents led him to earn an Ele Read Obituary
Tom was one of a kind and a wonderful husband to my dearest friend Betty. I have so many memories and stories, but many of them revolve around two trips we took together. When we were in Germany our city entrances and exits were never smooth. Once we were on a pedestrian only street and a shopkeeper stopped us to hand us something. After tense moments, we made it to our hotel and dropped off our luggage and headed as quick as we could for our mandatory weiss beer. It turns out the paper was a marriage test. Betty started asking Tom the questions. With his calm voice Tom said "Now is not a good time Dear." On the same trip we arrived at Neuschwanstein Castle to masses of people. I don't know how Tom did it, but he led us through the crowd near the front for a very short wait. Tom loved the autobahn. We were in the Black Forest and it started to rain. I was trying to brake the car with my foot. Tom looked at me with that twinkle in his eye and said "Deborah you look scared." Tom had an avid curiosity and enjoyed learning. The only thing he would not learn is how to ask for directions.
Another trip we took to Taos New Mexico. Tom went skiing and Betty and I went on a side trip. On the way back we were almost out of gas with no station in site. Betty mentioned that Tom said when out of gas drive serpentine which I did. Other drivers must have thought we were drunk, but we made it to the gas station just in time. We visited the Taos Pueblo and Tom just loved the flat bread. We were scheduled to go our separate ways when suddenly there was a knock on my door and Betty and Tom said they wanted to visit the Anasazi cliff dwellings with me. We visited Indian Pueblos and the cliff dwellings. It was beautiful outside and a wonderful travel day.
At the home front, Tom ate a pepper a day. I asked if they were hot. Tom said not bad. He gave me one and I thought my mouth was on fire. Tom got a big chuckle out of that. He was always reading the paper, financial news, watching sports, doing soduku puzzles, or lighting a fire that he would sit in front of with a glass of scotch in the evenings. This was after a long day of working on whatever his projects were. He was in his own way a renaissance man. He loved his family and friends and his family and friends embraced those he loved.
My heart is heavy with your loss.
Deborah Chene
Tom was a wonderful man and a good friend. We will miss him, but rejoice in the fact that he is with our Lord. Thanks for all the memories.
Christi and Al Nelson
Uncle Tom will be missed so much. We have so many precious memories that will be cherished forever. He taught me how to waterski, never come to see me without repairing something, always gave great advice about stocks and financial matters.
I've inherited his love of just being outside and enjoying nature. He loved being on his tractor. The last weekend I visited him he was on his tractor working, he was wearing oxygen, could hardly breathe but determined to finish another one of his numerous projects. That is an example of the Tom I will always remember. He was such an intelligent, creative, determined and hard working person. My father described Tom perfectly, he said he was an engineer with common sense. Mother and Tom were such close siblings , I know he missed her so much but know they are together again. My life has been so enriched and I feel so so lucky to have had Tom in my life. Till we meet again, love you and miss you.
Lit a candle in memory of Claude Thomas Dowell
Tom was loved so much. There are precious memories of the days when we were kids at our grandparents far no doubt there is a great reunion as most of our generation is living with Jesus now. A great getting up morning isn't too far off for the rest. God bless the family of a wonderful man. Tonya Holmes Shook
We shared so many wonderful times together over the past 32 years with Tom, Betty and all the many family members these 2 brought together! He had a great sense of humor and we all loved his laugh! He could fix anything! We loved the veggies he produced from his garden that he shared with us anytime we came. He loved his peppers with every meal. He was a man of few words, but his facial expressions spoke volumes. Very...Funny...Man! I loved him so for many reasons, but the main reason was he was a wonderful husband to my sister. He loved her and demonstrated his love with his kindness, his unselfish nature, his generosity, and his love. He was just a wonderful human being. They shared a wonderful life together. He is in God's heavenly, loving embrace now and for eternity. Tom, are missed greatly here on this earth, but we are waiting patiently for the moment we see you again. We love you to infinity and beyond! --The Andress Family
