Thomas Rowe

Thomas R. Rowe, 49, of Fort Gratiot Twsp, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 17, 2006. Tom was born on March 20, 1957 into the family of Alvin and Phyllis (Zweng) Rowe. He grew up in Smiths Creek, Michigan with his sister Mary Lynn (Charlie) Beals of Ft. Gratiot; brothers, Bob of Steamboat Springs, CO and Ken of Port Huron. He graduated from Marysville High School in 1975 where he played varsity football and continued to follow this sport through the trials and tribulations of the Detroit Lions. At the age of 20 he moved to Colorado, settled in Greeley and helped raise four stepchildren, Marijane, Robert, Danielle and Angela Paolasso along with his own two children, Levi and Rebecca. Tom also is survived by many nieces, nephews, uncles and aunts. Tom developed diabetes in his late teens and suffered many complications from this terrible disease including heart attacks and kidney failure. In 2004, Tom came back to Port Huron to say goodbye to his parents and family. But he was given a reprieve, the gift of life for another eighteen months. During this time, he renewed his relationships with his brother, sister, family and good friends especially Kathy Kozloff and Butch Gregg. But the most important part of the gift was the time he spent with his mother and father who dearly loved him. Unexpectedly that gift ended on Wednesday, May 17, 2006. Funeral services are 11 a.m. Saturday in the Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home. The Rev. Simeon T. Iber will officiate. Visitation is 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. today and 10 a.m. until service time on Saturday. A scripture service will be held at 7:30 p.m. this evening. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association or the Kidney Foundation.