Retired Army Colonel Thomas Garland Bowden

Retired Army Colonel Thomas Garland Bowden, age 68 of Franklin, TN passed away surrounded by family on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 of Alzheimer’s Disease. He was born in Tullahoma, TN and attended Middle Tennessee State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in History and Political Science. He was designated a Distinguished Military Graduate and commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Field Artillery. His military schooling included the FA Officer Basic and Advanced Courses; Lance and Pershing Missile Courses, Army Command and General Staff College and Army War College. He was an Eagle Scout and earned a Master of Arts from the University of Alabama. He was a recipient of the highest peacetime award, the Distinguished Service Medal. During his career he earned two awards of the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and four awards of the Meritorious Service Medal among others. Colonel Bowden commanded Field Artillery units from the battery through the brigade levels which included tours of duty in Germany and the Pentagon. Upon retirement from the Army he had a ten year career with Watsco serving as president of two of its subsidiaries. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Barbara Bowden; daughters, Elizabeth (Robert) Paine and Alex (Mike) Soffer; grandchildren, Katherine Paine, Beckett Paine and Elliot Soffer; sister, Gail (Larry) Dean and aunt, Linda (Leon) Smith. The family thanks the staff of NHC The Trace and Caris Healthcare. Memorials may be given to the charity of your choice or the Alzheimer’s Association. Funeral services with full military honors will be conducted 2:00 PM Sunday, October 21, 2018 at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home, Rev. Warren Black officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Sunday. Private burial services will be conducted at Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery. WILLIAMSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 615 794-2289 www.williamsonmemorial.com