OMEGA — Thomas Francis Bowman, 72, of Omega, died Monday, July 27, 2009, at his residence. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, with full military rites, at Omega Cemetery with the Rev. Terry Smith officiating. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 tonight at Baker-Harrell-Faircloth Funeral Home.

Born July 28, 1936, in Cheyenne, Wyo., he was the son of the late Thomas Lawson Bowman and Margaret Leona Ault Bowman. He retired from the United States Air Force after 22 years, where he received the Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal; Presidential Unit Citation, Military Merit Award; Air Force Good Conduct Award; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award; National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Award; Vietnam Service Medal; Air Force Longevity Service Award; and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge and the V.F.W. He was of the Baptist faith.

He was preceded in death by sons Thomas Edward Bowman and Anthony Fletcher, and a grandson, Jeremy Fletcher.

Survivors include his wife, Isabelle Lindsey Bowman of Omega; sons Robert Bowman of Louisville, Ken., and Jonathan Fletcher and wife Denise of Albany; a daughter, Frances Mitchell and husband Rodney of Floyd Nobbs, Ind.; a brother, Douglas M. Bowman of Tifton; sisters Frances Bowman of Fritch, Texas and Margaret Savage of Fritch, Texas; grandchildren, Heather Fletcher, Scott Bowman, Jennifer Clark and husband Jeremy, Rebecca Fletcher and Justin Bowman; and great-grandchildren Zachery and Zoye Clark.

Donations to American Cancer Society or VFW.

Baker-Harrell-Faircloth Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.