Thomas Hower

KINGSFORD - Charles Thomas Hower, 68, of 243 River Hills Road, Kingsford, died Friday, Aug. 22, 2008, at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital. Tom was born Oct. 12, 1939, son of Charles T. and Dorothy (Polk) Hower. He graduated from Milwaukee Lutheran High School in 1958. He served three years in the United States Army Military Police. On Nov. 30, 1963, he married Verna Hodgins at Trinity United Methodist Church in Iron Mountain. Tom worked for 12 years at North Central Airlines followed by 10 years with the W. B. Thompson Co. He fulfilled his dream of owning a restaurant, by purchasing the Blind Duck Inn in 1986. He enjoyed that pursuit for 12 years before retiring and selling the restaurant. He worked for the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District for the next four years as bussing coordinator and then bus driving certification instructor for Northern Michigan University. Tom was an active member of Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain. He belonged to the Michigan Archery Club, the Junior Chamber of Commerce and Dickinson County Chamber of Commerce. He was a past winner of the Jaycee Speak-up. Tom was actively involved with the Dickinson County Community Theater for 25 years and was emcee of the Amidon Follies for several years. He enjoyed canoeing, boating, fishing, snorkeling, acting and emceeing events. He indulged many family members and friends in card games he rarely won. Tom was an accomplished cook and was a 40-year member of the gourmet club. He discovered his passion for wood carving in 1992 and co-founded the Woodbee Carving Club which dramatically called attention to that form of art in this area. He became certified as a master carver and had been asked to showcase his skills at classes across the country. Tom taught several techniques and had been a featured carver at many shows, both locally and afar. His talents were also publicized in carving magazines. Tom loved to travel with his wife and family. He had a special place in his heart for the Cayman Islands. He had a great love and pride of his family and was adored and deeply admired by his kids and grandkids. Tom was the beloved and trusted husband to his wife of 44 years. He has touched too many lives to mention and will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to know his love, friendship, generosity and sense of humor. Tom is survived by his wife, Verna; son, Mark Hower of Iron Mountain; daughter, Dianna (John) McDonald of Breitung Township; two grandchildren, Taylor and Brady McDonald; his mother, Dorothy Hower of Iron Mountain; sisters-in-law, Ruthann (Henry) Badini of Iron Mountain, Alice (Gerald) Taff of Iron Mountain and Marge Hodgins of Kingsford; an honorary brother, Bill (Sandy) Reetz of Silverthorne, Colo. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Hower. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Tuesday at Our Saviours Lutheran Church. Funeral services will follow at 12 noon at the church. Rev. Stephen Cowen and Rev. Lee Liverance will officiate. Burial will be in Cemetery Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to the Dickinson County Cancer Unit Loan Closet or Our Saviours Lutheran Church. Condolences to the family of Tom Hower can be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.

Thomas Hower

August 22, 1940 - August 22, 2008