Tommy attended grade school in La Cygne, Kansas and graduated from La Cygne High School in 1950. To further his education Tommy attended Kansas State University from 1950 to 1952 majoring in agriculture and playing football for the Wildcats. He was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War in 1952 and served as a tank mechanic. During this time, Tommy played football for the Army in the Pioneer League at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska until 1954. Tommy went back to Kansas State after serving his country and continued his education and playing football until 1955.
On June 10, 1956, Tommy Lee Gowing and Patricia Marie (White) Gowing were united in marriage at the First Christian Church in La Cygne, Kansas. To this union three sons were born: Darrell Lee, Gerald Dean and Gregory Eugene. The family lived on a farm south of Fontana, Kansas where he raised Polled Herford cattle and row crops in the Maries Des Cygnes river bottoms.
Family life kept Tommy busy as he was actively involved in the boys'' 4-H club and FFA projects along with the numerous sporting events they participated in throughout the years. As Tommy grew older he enjoyed planting and working in his garden, attending local and state fairs, and helping his son Darrell with his construction business. Religion was a strong aspect of his life and he enjoyed visiting with his church friends and listening to the gospel at Sunday services where he was a member of the First Christian Church of Garnett, Kansas.
Tommy was preceded in death by his parents William and Blessing Gowing and his beloved wife Patricia Marie. He is survived by three sons: Darrell and Gerald of Lane, Kansas; Greg and wife Debra of Goddard, Kansas; two grandchildren McKinley Stewart and McCallister Joscelyn Gowing also of Goddard, with a host of other relatives and friends.
The family will greet visitors on Tuesday July 24, 2018 from 5 to 7 pm at the First Christian Church in Garnett, Kansas at 200 South Walnut Street.
Services will be held 10 am Wednesday July 25, 2018 the First Christian Church in Garnett, Kansas. Interment will be 1:30 pm Wednesday at the Oak Lawn Cemetery La Cygne, Kansas.
Memorial contributions can be made to the First Christian Church of Garnett, Kansas or Crossroads Hospice in care of the Schneider Funeral Home 202 North 4th Street La Cygne, Kansas 66040.
