Thomas Ferrell Rowell

Thomas Ferrell Rowell, 77, of Decatur, passed away Saturday, February 6, 2016 at Decatur Morgan Main Hospital. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. with a Celebration of Life immediately following on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at Roselawn Funeral Home Chapel with Raymond Monroe officiating and Roselawn Funeral Home directing.

He was born October 30, 1938 to Oddis and Eulee Rowell in Ovett, MS. He was an Electrical Engineer and retired from MSFC NASA after a 35 year career. After retiring from NASA, he continued working on NASA projects for a 10 year period with ALPHA Technology. Some of his NASA projects included Saturn, Apollo, SPAR program, Space Shuttle, Hubble Telescope, Orbital Space Plane and Tethered Satellite. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, shooting club, and playing bridge. He was a member of Central Baptist Church. He won numerous awards for outstanding support and achievements during his working career. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering at Mississippi State University. Most importantly, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather to his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years: Tommye S. Rowell, sons: Gerry Wyatt (Joy), and Joey Wyatt (Gloria), daughters: Dorothy Young, Lisa Businelle, Denise Ely (Rusty), and Jennifer Monroe (Ray), sister: Diane Stokes (Lyle), grandchildren: Brian Rowell (Elaine), Chris Rowell (Nancy), Beth Morell, Corey Young, Chase Stark, Liberty and Lincoln Ely, Kathryn Daniels (Luke), Caroline Hodges (Bennon), Candace Wyatt, Holly, Hannah, Heidi, and John Monroe, great-grandchildren: Cambria Rowell, C.J., Sophia and Juliana Rowell, and Joseph Daniels.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s, Special Olympics of North Alabama, and the American Cancer Society.