Thomas Charles Fowler Sr.

Thomas Charles Fowler Sr., age 86, of Clearwater, Florida, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2025. He was born on April 30, 1939, in Owatonna, Minnesota, to the late Bernadine (Manthey) and Melvin Fowler. Thomas shared 67 wonderful years of marriage with his beloved wife, Sharyn, with whom he built a beautiful life filled with love, family, and purpose.

From an early age, Thomas was fascinated by trains and railroads—a passion that would shape much of his life. As a boy in Owatonna, he spent many hours alongside the crew of the Rock Island Railroad, where conductors and engineers took him under their wing. Their mentorship inspired a lifelong love for railroads and engineering that remained with him throughout his years.

After graduating from high school, Thomas was recruited by the Department of Transportation to help construct one of the nation’s first major highway systems. A talented and dedicated engineer, he contributed to the design and construction of bridges, roads, and infrastructure projects across the country. His skill, precision, and vision left a lasting mark on the landscapes he helped shape.

In 1979, Thomas and his family relocated from Minnesota to Florida, where he continued to grow his successful Shaklee business, ultimately reaching the level of Master Coordinator. With an entrepreneurial spirit and tireless work ethic, Thomas also owned and operated several businesses over the years—from landscaping and irrigation to homebuilding—and he designed and built multiple homes in the Clearwater area.

Thomas’s lifelong passion for railroads found its ultimate expression in the intricate model railway he built alongside a group of close friends—and often with the help of his son, Thomas Jr.—a project that lasted more than 30 years. This remarkable layout has been relocated to the Bushnell Station & Gulf Coast & Central Florida Railroad Museum, where, once reconstructed, it will continue to inspire others for many years to come.

Faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was foundational to him and Sharyn. They were active members at several churches over the years, including First Christian Church of Tarpon Springs and Calvary Church at East Lake.

Thomas will always be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His family was the true heart of his life, and his marriage to Sharyn was a testament to love and their amazing partnership.

Thomas is survived by his loving wife, Sharyn; his children, Thomas (Jannette) Fowler Jr., Craig (Mary "Sissy") Fowler, Scott Fowler, Troy (Tina) Fowler; and Kimberly (David) Desaulniers and twelve cherished grandchildren: Ian (Jennifer) Fowler, Dylan Fowler, Riley (Alyssa) Fowler, Chapman (Raegan) Fowler, Kari Anne (Landon) Wood, Zachary Fowler, Jacob Fowler, Noah (Natasha) Fowler, Jordan Fowler, Joshua Fowler, Mitchell Desaulniers, and Logan Desaulniers.

He is also survived by fourteen great-grandchildren: Edith Fowler, Mia Fowler, Ellie Fowler, Ryan Fowler, Julian Fowler, Shepherd Fowler, Davy Fowler, Anastasia Fowler, Harrison Wood, Brynn Wood, Vanessa Fowler, Vincent Fowler, Molly Fowler, and Remington Ridgway, as well as many extended family members and dear friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Joan Hegerman and James Fowler.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either the Bushnell Station & Gulf Coast & Central Florida Railroad Museum, 6470 WC 476, Bushnell, Florida 33513, or to Suncoast Hospice, 2675 Tampa Road, Palm Harbor, Florida 34684.

His legacy lives on in every bridge he helped build, every rail that sparked his imagination, and the many lives he impacted – a lasting testament to a life well lived.