Thomas “Tommy” MacArthur Dowell, 82, of Union Grove, N.C., passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at his residence.

Tommy was born in Iredell County on February 27, 1942, to the late Dewey Fredrick Dowell and Velta Redmond Dowell. He was a graduate of Union Grove High School and Kings Business College.

He was in janitorial supply sales for over 50 years. His customers affectionately called him “Soapman.” He was employed by Webb Chemical.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Frederick (Josephine) Dowell, William (Glenda) Dowell, and Joshua Dowell; sister, Ila Ruth (Homer) Simpson; brothers-in-law, Joe Jolly Jr. and William Brown; and sister-in-law, Loretta Dowell.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 59 years, Linda Osborne Dowell; sons, Rhyne (Lisa) Dowell and Mark (Dana) Dowell; brothers, Landon Dowell and Lyman (Louise) Dowell; sisters, Lynn D. Jolly, Kay D. Brown, and Faye D. (Frank) Ellis; grandchildren, Andrea (Preston) Smith, Sarah Dowell, and Landon Dowell; great-granddaughter, Mary Evelyn Smith; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 13, at 1 p.m. at Union Grove United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. David Hamlyn. The family will visit with friends following the burial service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family.