Thomas Leslie Vowell

October 20, 1949 ~ May 3, 2011
Thomas Leslie Vowell, of Blanding, UT, passed away at the ICU at the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT on Tuesday May 3, 2011.
Tom was born October 20, 1949 in Las Vegas, NV to Hollie and Dora Maude George Vowell.
Tom lived in Las Vegas, Panguitch and Murray, UT, with his parents and older brother Ronald Hollie Vowell, who was his only sibling.
As a young boy, Tom took dancing lessons from Arthur Murray Dance Studio and he loved to perform at night clubs in Salt Lake City.
When Tom was 16 years old they moved to Blanding, UT. As a teenager Tom loved motorcycles and COOL cars. The first car he got was a brand new yellow Camaro and the first night he had it he put 312 miles on the odometer just driving up and down Blanding’s main street trying to impress the girls. Tom also loved golfing and camping on the mountain.
He fell in love with a beautiful Blanding girl, Beverly Jean Guymon. They were married on July 15, 1967 in Blanding. To this union three children were born: Todd L., Angela Jean and Jason Thomas.
Tom graduated from San Juan High School in Blanding in 1968. In 1969, Tom and Bev moved to Provo, UT, where Tom attended the Provo Technical College and received his degree. They then moved to Clearfield, UT where he worked at Hill Air Force Base as an Aircraft Electrician.
In 1970, they moved to Blanding, where Tom was a partner with his dad and his brother Ron in Vowell & Sons Oil Company and the Convenience Store and Service Station at Shirt Tail Corner, south of Blanding. Other jobs he had were working in the uranium mine in San Juan County with Johnny Dufur, and a car dealership in Cortez, CO.
In 1983, Tom, Bev and their three children moved to St. George, UT, where they lived for 27 years. While there, Tom was partners with Newby Holt and DATS Trucking. He was also the owner of Future Petroleum and Friendly Motors.
Because of poor health, Tom retired in 2008. In June, 2010, Tom and Beverly moved back to Blanding to their SUM TIME RANCH on Reservoir Road.
In Tom’s history he records some of his happiest moments:
My relationship with my sweet wife Beverly and my three children and eight grandchildren.
The day that Beverly and I were sealed in the St. George Temple.
The day my dad, Hollie Vowell, was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Time I have been able to spend the last 40 years with my best friend, Johnny Dufur.
“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, Hershey candy kisses in one hand, Otter Pops in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming WOO HOO, what a ride!”
Tom is survived by his sweetheart, Beverly, of Blanding; children Todd L. (Sheree), Angie Hazen, and Jason, grandchildren Tiana, Kayla, and Avaree Vowell, Chase and Carli Hazen, Chance, Ethan, and Chloe Vowell, all of St. George, UT and brother Ron of Salt Lake City, UT.
Funeral services were held Friday, May 6, 2011 at the Blanding LDS Stake Center. Interment at the Blanding City Cemetery.
Card of thanks
The family of Tom Vowell extends a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Terry Cook, Cortez, CO. and to the wonderful Drs, Nurses, and Staff of the Blue Mountain Hospital and Clinic for all the love and kindness they showed to Tom.
To Danny Palmer of San Juan Mortuary, how fortunate we are to have you in our time of need.
Thank you to all the wonderful people of San Juan County for the many acts of kindness shown to our family during this difficult time.