Thomas Chalmers McKowen, IV “Tom” entered eternity on Wednesday, August 4 at approximately 2:30 PM after an almost four year battle with stage 4 metastatic colorectal cancer. Tom was a very quiet humble man and steady as a rock even when he was told he had a short time left to live. He was not only a gentleman but a gentle man. Tom was born on September 13, 1953 at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge, LA, the first of six children. After going to Jackson High School, he graduated from Silliman Institute in 1971 where he was voted Most Intelligent. He had just celebrated his 50th class reunion in June. He then attended Louisiana Tech in Ruston, but after his freshman year homesickness overcame him, and he returned to LSU where fate awaited him in a classroom in the basement of Allen Hall. He met his future wife, Liz in an English class, and they were married for 46 rollicking years. After finishing LSU cum laude with a B.S. in Rural Sociology, he then entered LSU Law School scoring third highest at the time on the Law School entrance exam. During Law School, he distinguished himself participating in Moot Court, named to the Order of the Coif, and was on the Law Review. He also assisted Dr. A.N. Yiannopoulos a legal scholar and researcher in writing one of his early books. Early in his practice, he argued a case before the Louisiana Supreme Court. He was a faithful member of the Louisiana and Baton Rouge Baton Bar Associations and the Feliciana Bar Association having served as its President almost as soon as he was admitted to the Louisiana Bar. He and his partners at both his Clinton law firm, and later his Baton Rouge Law firm were always given the highest rating by Martindale Hubbell peer ratings. His wisdom, judgement and guidance were valued by many.
The things Tom loved most in this life were God, his family, the law, and LSU in that order. He was a member of the Plains Presbyterian Church since his birth and was a dedicated servant of the Lord until his death. In addition to a long stint as Elder, he served as Deacon, and taught the Men’s Sunday School class for many years. He served as a trustee for the cemetery and as clerk of the session. He and his (Catholic) wife attended a Covenantal Fellowship Bible Study Group for over 20 years. He was a fixture at the 3D Men’s Fellowship group on Wednesdays every month. He also was a delegate to the Presbyterian Church in America’s General Assembly meeting for several years. Tom was very open to all faiths and frequently attended a Gathering of Men at First Baptist Church.
His family was his pride and joy especially his two grandchildren, Austin and Sutton. Even though he was feeling bad and in great pain, two of the last things he did was having Liz drive him to Dutchtown to watch Austin play football for St. Aloysius against St. Theresa. He also volunteered at St. Aloysius helping Austin’s class dissect cow eyeballs. In May he attended Sutton’s dance recital, and did not take his eyes off her the entire dance. Though, not a fan of Mardi Gras, he took over as a member and then board member in the Krewe of Tucumcari for his father-in-law. He served on its board for many years as Secretary and Vice-President eventually becoming an Emeritus board member. He reigned along with his daughter as the Krewe of Tucumcari’s King and Queen of Hearts on the “Love Boat” in 2004.
He served on the Baton Rouge Assembly’s Committee for many years and serving as chairman in 2013. Tom loved his Scottish heritage and genealogy. He was a member and Vice-President of the General Philemon Thomas Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. He was along with his wife a member of the Caledonian Society of Baton Rouge and the City Club.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Elizabeth Ann “Liz” Batchelor McKowen, a daughter Bonnie Elizabeth McKowen and her husband Aaron Travis Rader, two grandchildren, Austin Thomas Rader and Sutton Elizabeth Rader. He is also survived by his mother Nan Angela Young McKowen, a brother Joseph Young “Joe” McKowen, three sisters Marie Angela McKowen Thornton and her husband Earl Matthew Thornton; Nan Emily McKowen Rabalais and her husband Myron James “Tic” Rabalais; and Cary Adele McKowen Henry and her husband Michael David “Mike” Henry. He is survived by five nephews and three nieces, and 4 great-nephews and four great-nieces Matthew Thomas “Matt” Thornton and his wife Catherine English “Cat” Josey Thornton and their children Kowen Matthew Thornton, Alice Rhea Thornton, and Rhett English Thornton; Michael McKowen “Mike” Thornton and his wife Kristen Michelle Dann Thornton, and their children Carter Michael Michael and Beau Everitt Thornton, Mandeville, LA; Dr. James Grant “Jim” Rabalais and his wife Lauren Elisabeth Browning Rabalais, and their daughters Emma Jane Rabalais and Eva Marie Rabalais, Youngsville, LA; Dr. Reid Lanier Rabalais and his wife Laine Mallory Culotta Rabalais and their daughter Millie Paige Rabalais, Metairie, LA. Anna Marie Rabalais, Lauren Adele Courrege and her fiance Joshua Peter Crow, Mandeville, LA; Colton Lee Courrege, and Michaela Grace Henry. He is survived by two uncles and an aunt, Elisha Ashe Young and his wife Myrtle Joy Ledbetter Young, Shreveport. LA and Joseph McConnell “Joe Mac” Young, Metairie, LA.
He is preceded in death by his father Thomas Chalmers McKowen, III, a brother Lanier Johnston McKowen, paternal grandparents Thomas Chalmers McKowen, Jr. and Marie Anna Johnston McKowen, maternal grandparents, Mildred Angela Wilde Young and Joseph Andrew McConnell Young.
Visitation and funeral service will be held at Plains Presbyterian Church 22929 Highway 964 with visitation from 9-11 with the service beginning at 11. Interment in Young Family Cemetery. Pallbearers will be nephews and his son-in law. The family extends heartfelt thanks to Dr. Vince Cataldo and the dedicated team of doctors who gave us almost four years together, Anne and Shelly at Pinnacle Hospice and our wonderful sitters Charlie, Pat and Willie Mae who made his and my last days with him a little more bearable. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the following: Plains Presbyterian
Church, Silliman Institute, St. Aloysius School, Saint Joseph’s Academy or the new Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute or another charity near to your heart as these are to ours.
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