Tom taught English at Bountiful High School for nine years
SOUTH WILLARD - Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to all, Thomas M. Mower, 81, graciously slipped the bonds of this earthly presence on Monday, April 4, 2005, to return to the embrace of our Father in Heaven, after a valiant fight with cancer. His journey in this life began in Fairview, Utah on August 21, 1923 where he was born to Winston and Thelma Larsen Mower. He was raised on a farm in Oak Creek and attended North Sanpete High School in Mt. Pleasant. He also graduated from the University of Utah. He married his high school sweetheart and lifelong love, Maurine Blackham, on February 2, 1942. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. Tom was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was very pleased to serve many years in various capacities in the church, and continued to serve honorably in many callings throughout his life. He loved to attend the temple and he had a strong and enduring testimony of the Gospel and its teachings. During World War II he served with the U.S. Navy at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii as an airplane mechanic and following the war on Shore Patrol Duty riding the train from Ogden to Cheyenne supervising returning sailors. Tom taught English at Bountiful High School for nine years and later taught many years at Stevens Henager Business College in Ogden. During this time he raised mink on a farm in South Willard for 35 years. He also had an apple orchard in Pleasant View where he raised beautiful apples for sale in area stores. He was well-known in his community as a man of integrity, hard work and honesty. One of his great loves in life was his music. Late in life he learned to play the piano and composed many songs. Tom is survived by his wife of 63 years, Maurine, of South Willard; sons: Thomas E. (Lydia) Mower, Payson, UT; Dr. Richard W. (Pam) Mower, Fountain Hills, AZ; Jerry B. (Tedi Jeen) Mower, Bedford, WY; John L. Mower, Clinton; daughter Lori M. (Gale) Hall, Willard; and daughter-in-law, Dee Mower, Springville; 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is his brother, James Mower, of Evanston, WY. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Francene Whitecar, his parents, sister, Theli Allred, brother, Berkley Mower, grandson, Brett Mower, and son-in-law, Donnie Ray Dominy. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Willard Peak Ward Chapel in South Willard, 7615 South 665 West, with Bishop Robert Dean officiating. Friends may call at Lindquist's North Ogden Mortuary, 2140 North Washington Blvd., on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday at the Ward Chapel from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. Interment, Fairview, Utah Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund. Email condolences to the family at lom@lindquistmortuary.com.