Thomas Stanley Brower, 89, of Raleigh, North Carolina, passed away Sunday, July 16, 2023.

Tom was born to the late Leslie and Mary Brower, March 8, 1934, in Pleasant Valley, New York. He graduated from Arlington High School in Poughkeepsie, NY, where he was the captain of his basketball team, and the president of his senior class. He later joined IBM where he completed a three-year apprenticeship program in the trade of Tool and Die Making. Additionally, he continued studies at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.

Tom married his high school sweetheart, Sara Keenan, in 1954. They began their life together in Poughkeepsie, NY before relocating to Lexington, KY and later Raleigh, NC where they have lived since 1965.

Tom enjoyed a 39-year career with IBM. He directed the IBM tool and die making apprenticeship program in Lexington, KY where he mentored and trained dozens of young men for careers in the profession. He also held numerous management roles throughout his long career with IBM. After retiring, he owned and managed two Athletes Foot shoe stores located in Cary and Greensboro, North Carolina.

Tom was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, The Friendship Force of Raleigh, The Wolfpack Club, and North Raleigh Investors. He and Sara loved to travel and enjoyed visiting many countries around the globe, making lasting international friendships. Tom loved the beach! He and his wife owned a vacation home at Atlantic Beach, NC for over 44 years where they shared many happy memories with friends and family. Tom was an avid NC State Wolfpack fan and a longtime season ticket holder. He enjoyed gardening, reading, watching baseball, golfing (badly) with friends, and spending time with family.

Tom is survived by three children: Robin Brower Murphy (Rick) of Atlanta, Ga; David Brower of Wake Forest, NC; and Kevin Brower (Connie) of Cary, NC. He is also survived by five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, his sister, Dorothy Brower Sundberg of Hampton, Virginia, and his brother, Leslie D. Brower of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, as well as many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, his sister Marguerite Brower Sutfin, and his son, Mark Keenan Brower.

The family would like to thank the staff of The Cypress of Raleigh and The Rosewood for their loving care.

In lieu of flowers, please remember Tom by considering a donation to the Acorn Scholarship Fund,acorn-scholarship.org/donate.html (Denote: In Memory of Tom Brower), or the charity of your choice.

A mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Saturday, July 29, 2023. The family will greet guests in the church narthex before mass, beginning at 10am. Mass will be held at 11am in the sanctuary.