Thomas Rex Dowell, age 68 of Peach Bottom, PA died on Saturday, December 22 at Lancaster General Hospital. He was the husband of Linda Blackburn Dowell and they recently celebrated their 48 year wedding anniversary. Dad was born October 24, 1944 in Sparta, NC, the son of the late Velter and Vinnie Jones Dowell. Prior to his retirement, he had worked as a fork lift operator for many years at the Constar International Clarke Road facility in Havre de Grace, MD. In addition to our mom, he is survived by his children, Rhonda K. Dowell, Randall Kenneth Dowell and Thomas William Dowell. Dad loved spending time with his grandchildren, Joshua Allen Rudd and his wife Amber Adams Rudd, Kara Lynn Dowell, Ryan Kyle Dowell, Katelyn Ashley Rudd, Michaela Addeline Rudd, Shelby Christine Dowell, Aiden Thomas Dowell and his only great-grandson Tyler Robert King Jr. who called dad his great grasshopper. Dad came from a very large family of 13 children. They lived in Sparta, NC. Dad is survived by 6 siblings, Hobert Dowell, Dora Mae Dowell Kilby, Joanne Dowell Hall, Ivan Dowell, Eugene Dowell and Roger Dowell. Dad had 7 siblings that had preceded him, RV Dowell, John Paul Dowell, Robert Dowell, James Dowell, Georgia Dowell Billings, Lenna Dowell Mullins, and Faye Dowell Baldwin. Coming from a large family he had a lot of family members who loved him including nieces and nephews. Dad had many friends, but one friend in particular Glen Elwood Beavers, a friend of 48 years, passed on December 13, 2012. He and his wife (Linda Beavers) were married 47 years. On many occasions we would go to their house for cookouts as the adults would play card games the kids would run around and play until we all would get into trouble. My brother Randy recollects he was the only man besides my dad who could, as he would say, “Bust my Rear”. One of Dads good friends was Willard Wilson (Uncle Butch as we called him). We spent lots of New Years with them watching the big ball drop. Dad also had friends that he played music with, William Stike and Kenneth Christian. Dad in his early years of playing music played his guitar he learned to play on his own. Later on he taught himself to play the dobro where he played in many places on the East Coast. He enjoyed playing bluegrass and gospel music. When Dad wasn’t playing his music, he was riding his motorcycle with our mom riding on the back. They went on trips to Cape May, NJ and Harpers Ferry just to name a few. His motorcycle buddies included, Dan McNutt, his wife Cindy, Jim McKinney, and his wife Dottie. We heard a lot of stories form Dad about these trips, and the fun they had when they returned. Later on in his later years, as Dad’s health was failing, he usually had a funny smile or a silly face as he greeted his family. We will miss his jokes, his hugs and his kisses. I will also remember my Dad as a strong, stern man and a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and friend. Written by: Rhonda Dowell (Daughter) Typed by: Christina Blackburn Meadows (Niece)