Thomas Nowell

BURLINGTON- Thomas Warren Nowell, 96, of Twin Lakes, Burlington, NC, joined his beloved wife, Mildred, of 70 years on 24 July 2018, exactly one year after Mildred passed away. Cause of death was complications of extreme old age.

Tom leaves behind three devoted daughters, Cynthia Louise Nowell and husband, Steven Keating, of Alexandria, VA, Barbara Jean Nowell and husband, Mark Tenney, of Chapel, NC and Sharon Patrice Nowell of Greensboro, NC; one adoring granddaughter, Katharine Nowell Keating of Alexandria, VA; and one sister-in-law, Joyce Himka of Renton, WA. Tom was pre-deceased by his parents, William Warren Nowell and Effie Florence Nowell; a sister Olivia Christine Tousey; and a brother, Ernest Rencher Nowell.

After graduating from Franklinton High School, Franklinton, NC, in 1940, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Navy, achieving the rank of petty officer first class. He served aboard the USS Trenton, a light cruiser tasked with destroying the German raiding ships in the Pacific that targeted Allied whaling ships. His ship was reported sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor, but was in fact in Panama having radar installed. Tom was proud of becoming a "Shellback" after crossing the Equator and enduring the rigorous trials of King Neptune while en-route to the Straits of Magellan. Tom enjoyed his experience in the Navy, except for the five days in which he had nothing to eat but grape jelly because the ship ran out of food.

While stationed briefly in Puerto Rico, Tom learned to dance by trading algebra lessons for dance lessons. Later, at a USO dance in Annapolis, MD, Tom put those lessons to use when he swept Mildred, a Navy WAVE, off her feet. They were engaged on their third date and married in 1946.

Tom attended UNC Chapel Hill on the GI Bill. He graduated with honors in 1950 with a degree in Accounting. He then went to work for Burlington Industries (BI) for the next 37 years. He became a key player in helping the company become the largest textile manufacturer in the world. Tom loved solving complex system problems and revolutionized BI's inventory controls through computerization. He attributed the secret of his success to his five favorite friends: Who, What, When, Where, and Why. In recognition of his business acumen, BI sent him to the Basic Advanced Management Executive Program at the University of Virginia. Tom served two tours on the Corporate Staff in addition to tours in the Galey and Lord Division, the Burlington Hosiery Division, and the House Fabrics Division.

Tom was an avid golfer for sixty-eight years. With his favorite golfing partner Mildred, he played golf in Hawaii, Canada, Bermuda, Jamaica, Scotland, and all over the continental U.S. He was president of the North Carolina Senior Golfing Association and won the coveted Green Blazer. He earned an amazing 5 holes-in-one and shot his age every year from age 70 thru 87. Tom was a member of Alamance Country Club for more than 50 years and was instrumental in the redesign and rejuvenation of the club's golf course. (He also played a significant role in the creation of the golf course at the BurMill Country Club/BurMill Park). In his later years, Tom immensely enjoyed golfing with his dear friend Bob Moulton of Burlington, NC.

Dedicated to community service, Tom was a member of the Rotary Club and served as the Treasurer of the Burlington Chapter for 16 years. He volunteered as a courtesy driver at Alamance Regional Medical Center and helped tutor underprivileged children in reading. Tom also enjoyed telling young students about his adventures in the Navy during WWII. Along with Mildred, he was a devoted member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter for more than 50 years.

In addition to his love of golf, Tom had a soft spot in his heart for animals, except for the squirrels that threatened his bird feeders. He enjoyed Carolina football games, boogie boarding at the beach (through age 85), fishing, bridge, gardening, sailing, making kites, spending time with family and friends, and dancing with Mildred.

Tom attributed his great longevity to eating a Biscuitville sausage biscuit every morning since Biscuitville first opened its doors.

A celebration of life service will be conducted at 3:00 PM Saturday, July 28, 2018 at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter by The Rev. David R. Williams. The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM Friday evening at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory and also following the memorial service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Evelyn Apple Scholarship Fund at Twin Lakes, 3701 Wade Coble Drive, Burlington, NC 27215 or the Church of the Holy Comforter, 320 East Davis Street, Burlington NC 27215.

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