Thomas McDowell

THOMAS MCDOWELL

Oskaloosa

Thomas McDowell, 58, of Oskaloosa, died Monday, March 7, 2022, at his home in Oskaloosa.

He was born Feb. 29, 1964, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Ronald McDowell and Patricia Scarff. He graduated from Mount Pleasant High School with the Class of 1982. He went on to earn his B.S. in environmental studies from Iowa Wesleyan University. On April 29, 1989, he was united in marriage to Sara Van Dell in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. To this union, two children were born, Jakob and Kelsie. In 1988, Tom began work at Blue Bird Bus Co. in Mount Pleasant. In 1999, the family moved to Oskaloosa. Tom took a job as the purchasing manager at Clow Valve. He stayed in that position for the past 21 years. Tom was an avid outdoorsman, he loved to hunt, fish, camp and garden. He was a devoted family man. He and Sara traveled all over the Midwest to watch their children participate in various activities.

His family includes his wife of over 32 years, Sara McDowell of Oskaloosa; two children, Kelsie McDowell of Des Moines and Jakob and his wife, Mary McDowell, of Pella; a grandson, Judah McDowell; his mother, Patricia Scarff of Mount Pleasant; a brother, Tony (Natalie) McDowell of Mount Pleasant; a sister, Terri McDowell of Ottumwa; a sister-in-law, Lynn (David) Waterman of Macomb, Ill.; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father and stepmother, Ronald and Linda McDowell; and his brother-in-law, Doug Van Dell.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 12, in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa. Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. As was Tom's wish, his body has been cremated. Visitation will begin after noon Friday in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the Women's Rugby Club at Iowa State.