Thomas James Flowers

Thomas James Flowers, 82, born on August 15, 1931, in Evans, West Virginia, passed away March 14, 2014. He resided in Lakewood, California, at the time of his passing. He was born to Dollie Lena Richardson and William Robert Flowers I, and was the second of five children. Tom grew up in Jackson County, West Virginia and graduated from Ravenswood High School in 1950. He passed away, March 14, 2014 in Hawaiian Gardens, California at the age of 82.

In 1952 he joined the Army and served during the Korean War, until 1954. He spent time in Hawaii where he had his basic training, and then he traveled all across Europe. Europe and Hawaii were places he never wanted to go to again because he had already been there. He was especially proud of his Hell on Wheels patch located on the left shoulder of his uniform.

In 1954 Tom met his wife of 55 years, Shirley Anderson on a blind date, and they were married on August 6, 1955.
After they married, the two moved to Columbus, Ohio where their first child was born, Mike. Then, following other family members, like Tom's mom, the now family of three decided to move out to California. They rented for a while and then decided to purchase a home in Lakewood, California in 1958 for $12,000. This is where they had three more children, Cheryl, Theresa, and Patty.

In 1957 Tom began working at Rockwell International. Throughout his 32 years there, he worked in various departments, but mostly in traffic and transportation. His main focus was making sure the Apollo spacecraft and the Space Shuttle made it from Point A to Point B either by ground or by air. He took great pride in his job and in his later years, he would share his many Apollo and Space Shuttle pictures with anyone who would care to see them. Tom had an eye for details, and he was very good at what he did.

Tom was always trying to figure out how to make a few extra bucks. He and his older brother, Bob, co-owned a record label in the mid 1960's called Shamrock Records where they signed and worked with country music singers like Tony Trece, Robbie Lowe and the Golden State Boys. After that stint, the two of them decided to co-own a semi-pro football team called the Southern California Rhinos in the 1970's. When that venture had run its course, and the 1980's called, Tom dabbled in selling patriotic t-shirts that read , "These Colors Don't Run" and "Just Try To Burn This One, " as well as miniature Space Shuttle models that were all the rage. There were many other entrepreneurial adventures, too many to mention.

In 1989, at the age of 58, Tom retired from Rockwell. Not one to sit around, he decided to keep himself busy by helping out his son Mike with his real estate business, and eventually obtain his own real estate license.

Every year, from the late 1970's to the 1990's, Tom, his wife Shirley, and Patty would venture by car to West Virginia where Shirley's mom, Sadie, lived alone. Tom and Shirley eventually bought a home for Sadie and that is where the family was always welcome. Tom enjoyed his visits there and was always eager to go on an adventure on an old dirt road, or try and find on old friend's house. He especially loved finding places where they were playing bluegrass music, so they could all go and listen and do some country clogging.

Tom's hobbies included listening to bluegrass and country music, clogging, experimenting with magic tricks, and figuring out ways to earn a few extra bucks here and there. He also liked to tease people a lot and had a great sense of humor. He held very high standards for people and himself, so he angered easily at people's lack of follow through, lack of commitment, and just plain stupidity. He worked very hard his whole life to make a good living for himself and his family. So, not one for handouts, when he was asked about donating his vehicle to charity, he argued, "Why should I give someone my car? Nobody ever gave me anything!" That was true, so he won the argument.

The Flowers Family would like to thank you all for coming today to help them pay their respects to a great man. There are two types of people in this world, the Makers and the Takers. Tom Flowers was definitely a Maker, and one of a kind. He will truly be missed.
Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Cypress, California.