Thomas Trower Obituary

Thomas "Tom" Eugene Trower was born in Topeka, Kansas on November 4, 1950 and he died at his home in Lawrence, Kansas on August 9, 2021. He was the second of four children born to Maurice and Gladys Trower.

Tom was born and grew up in Topeka but lived most of his adult life in Lawrence, Kansas. Tom loved reading and he was interested in a wide variety of subjects. As a child he read his family's set of encyclopedias for fun. He was diagnosed as an adult with Dysgraphia which affected his ability to express himself in written words. Somewhat limited in his job choices by this, he was a loyal employee who worked in the same location for more than 30 years while the company's ownership changed several times.

Tom was an avid bicyclist for many years riding a recumbent-style bike around Lawrence and participating in Pedal Across Kansas events in the late 80's. Tom was creative and designed original art pieces he called "Sun Spinners" or 'Wind Bottles". Using recycled plastic and aluminum bottles, reflective tape, magnets, a shape blade, and careful folding, his creations spun in the wind and sparkled in the sun. They were simple but ingenious and when arranged in groups they were striking in the breeze. He displayed them at local art fairs and Burning Man Festival for several years.

In Lawrence, Tom was known for his most enduring passion. He believed

marijuana laws should be changed and he worked toward the legalization of marijuana for more than 30 years. Tom was known in Lawrence as the "Honk for Hemp" guy. He could be seen on the same downtown corner every Sunday afternoon expressing his opinion about marijuana by holding a "Honk for Hemp" sign and rewarding "honkers" with the wave of a thumbs up sign.

Tom was a kind and generous person who could be counted on to help if needed. He was modest, very independent and self-sufficient. Always taking his own path, Tom was above all else a gentle soul.

Tom was buried on August 17, 2021 in Winchester, Kansas beside his parents and alongside many generations of the Trower family.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and one niece, Sierra Shuss. He is survived by one brother, Mr. Ted (Alice) Trower of Ann Arbor, Michigan and two sisters, Mrs. Linda (John) Trower-Shuss of Twin Falls, Idaho and Mrs. Vicki (Robert) Wiley of Prescott Valley, Arizona. In addition, he is survived by nieces Shelia and Samantha Ashenbrener, and nephews, Kyle Wiley, Eric Trower and Alex Trower.