Thomas P. Dowdal

Thomas Dowdal, 60, of Cologne, NJ and Bonita Springs, Fla., passed away after fighting a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Tommy is predeceased by his mother Joy, who he loved to fish with and his beloved daughter Brandy, who was never far from his thoughts. Tommy grew up in Bonita Springs, Fla. with his brothers John, Ricky, Billy Daniel and sister, Joyann. He loved Bonita. He met his wife there when they were 14. They loved watching the sunset over the gulf, gigging fish off the trestle and camping in the Everglades. Tom was a talented builder and mason and also a perfectionist who was very proud of his work. He was so talented from construction, to building duck boats, even carving decoys. He loved the outdoors. He raised orphaned fawns, raccoons and an assortment of orphaned wild animals for the state, while living at the family campground, Red Wing Lakes. He also was one of founders of Red Wing Sporting Clays with wife, Debbie and his in-laws, Daniel (Louann) and Roger (Christine). He was proud of his accomplishments. Tom and Debbie were 4-H Livestock Club Leaders for 10 years. He was also member of the fair association. He was a recovering alcoholic with 30 years of sobriety. Tom was looking forward to the wedding of his daughter and namesake Tomi and a granddaughter. Tom is survived by his wife Debbie (Giberson); Father, John; son, Shawn (Chrissie); daughter, Tomi (fiance John); and his son Ryan; Grandchildren, Debbie, Sami Lee, Randy Thomas, Chelsea, Shawn Patrick, Kylee, Jasmine, Emma and Rylee; and 1 great grandson, John; mother-in-law, Lois Giberson; siblings; and many nieces and nephews. He was especially close to his nephew Danny (Felicia) and nieces Laura and Sarah. A life celebration will be held Saturday April 22, 2017 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Port Republic, with an 11AM visitation and 12PM Service. The family would like to Thank Parsels Funeral Home for all their help through this. For online condolences, please visit www.parselsfh.com.