Thomas D. Bowen

Thomas D. Bowen, 90, died, Sunday May 29, 2011 surrounded by his wife, children and faithful caregivers at his home in Elyria. He was born September 4, 1920 in Duluth, Minnesota and was a 1938 graduate of University School in Cleveland, received his BA in government and economics from Denison University in 1942 and his MBA in accounting from Case Western Reserve University in 1954.

During WWII he worked for the U.S. War Labor Board and then at The Weatherhead Mfg. Company in Cleveland. He moved to Elyria in 1946 and held the position of general manager of The Peerless Laundry, Dry Cleaning and Linen Supply Company until1950 after which he was employed as a staff accountant for Walthall & Drake, CPAs, Cleveland. From 1957-1964 he worked as a public accountant in Elyria and also served in various part time city jobs, including clerk of council and financial advisor to the Mayors office.

Besides serving as the first treasurer of Lorain County Community College from 1964-1980 he was chief business and financial officer and was appointed acting president from January to September 1971. After retiring from Lorain County Community College he continued his practice as a CPA in Elyria and was active in city politics. He was a member and served a three year term as chairperson of the Administrative Board of First United Methodist Church, Elyria, during which time a capital fund drive was undertaken for renovations and capital improvements. He was a former member of Elyria Rotary Club, Elyria Kiwanis Club, Erie Shores Girl Scout Council Board and with his wife Jean was co-chair of the fund development committee. He was a member of the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants and co-founder of the Firelands Chapter of OSCPA.

Tom is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jean C. Bowen (nee: Crisp); son, Thomas C. Bowen of Elyria; daughters, Charlotte Wagamon, M.D. of Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania, Jeanette Quinn of LaPorte, Indiana, Christine Johnson of Sylvania, Ohio; 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by brothers, David O. and Robert E. Bowen and a sister, Angela Williamson.

A memorial service will be Sunday 3:00 PM, June 5, 2011 at First United Methodist Church, Chapel, 312 3rd Street, Elyria with Reverend Roger Talbott officiating. Burial will be in Ridgelawn Cemetery, Elyria. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church or Lorain County Community College Foundation, 1005 North Abbe Road, Elyria. Dicken Funeral Home, Elyria is in charge of arrangements.

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