Thomas D. Bowman, Jr.

Thomas Donrell Bowman, Jr. (TJ) was born Sunday, May 14, 1995 on Mother’s Day in Laurel Maryland.  He gained his heavenly wings on Thursday, July 30, 2020. 

At a very early age, the Bowie Maryland community became the place where Thomas grew up, developed lifelong friendships, participated in sports, extracurricular activities and church programs.  He attended the Apple Early Learning Center, Lutheran Concordia Pre-School, High Bridge Elementary School, Samuel Ogle Middle School and Bowie High School.  While in elementary school, TJ played the saxophone where he and his classmates gave musical concerts and productions to the local community.  He continued playing the saxophone throughout high school.  While still in elementary school, Thomas was a member of the New Carrollton Track club, which began his love for track and field sports.  One summer, Thomas qualified to participate in the Maryland Tennis program where he got the opportunity to train with professional tennis coaches.  Thomas was an active member in the Bowie Boys and Girls Club for eight years, where he participated in soccer, wrestling, and football.  One year, Thomas was professionally trained by boxing coaches at the renowned Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Center. While in high school, TJ excelled in both Football and Track and Field.  He ran the 2 X 4 and the 4 X 4 as a member of the Front Runners Track Club and Bowie High School Track and Field Team.  TJ received many trophies and medals for his participation in the sports arena and was invited to attend and participate in the well-known Penn Relays.  After graduating from Bowie High School, TJ attended Bowie State University where he majored in Sports Medicine.

At the tender age of five, TJ walked to the front of Reid Temple AME Church to give his life to Christ.  Immediately he became involved in several ministries of the church, including the Youth Choir where he sang every 5^th Sunday of the month for over ten years, attended Youth Bible Study, was an active member in the Young Peoples Department (YPD), enjoyed the Theatre Ministry where he participated in the annual church play productions, and the Reid Temple Orchestra where he played the saxophone.  TJ also participated in the Warm Nights Program helping to feed the homeless.  Thomas’ proudest activity at Reid Temple AME Church was his assignment in the Kitchen Ministry where he prepared food and cooked the eggs for breakfast served between Sunday morning services. 

As a youth, Thomas’ very first employment was as a server at an ice cream shop in Annapolis Mall.  From there he went on to work at Burger King and a host of other food chain restaurants and retail stores while in school.  As a young adult, he secured his first full-time job at Stanley Steemer and from there he moved onto his full-time career working for the Postal Service.  There he worked as a City Carrier for nearly three years before switching employment to work for Miller Pipeline Contracting Company.  Thomas dreamed of one day becoming a tattoo artist and owning his own shop.  He loved to work with his hands and create designs.  He was working towards entering an apprenticeship with a local tattoo artist in preparation of becoming one himself. 

Thomas’ greatest love was time spent with his mother and big sister.  As a family they went skiing and snow-boarding, roller-skating, ice-skating, bowling, vacationing at beaches and theme parks; ziplining, white-water rafting, hang-gliding, played board game nights at home, went on date nights at the Kennedy Center, cruised the Caribbean and dined at fine restaurants together. Thomas’ favorite food was seafood; where he delighted in the planning and preparation of the annual family seafood feast that was held every third week in August.  Thomas also mastered the grill where he enjoyed grilling for his family and friends. When TJ entered a room the first thing you noticed was his beautiful bright smile.  He had a warm smile that would light up a room. And from that, you got a taste of his kind heart, fun loving personality, and witty charm.

Thomas is survived by his devoted and loving mother, Lydia Hunt; dedicated sister Brittany Johnson (Eric), nephews Eric Jr, Ethan and niece Sydney Johnson; father, Thomas Bowman Sr.; grandparents Alexis Arrington and Henry and Shirley Bowman.   He is also survived by his supportive God-Parents Louis and Carolyn Artis and a host of caring and loving relatives, friends and extended family members.

We will do want you would want us to do – smile, open our eyes, love and go on cherishing your memory forever

The Family