Clyde Raymond “Tom” Bower, 90, died on April 4, 2016, in Luther Crest retirement community, South Whitehall.

Born April 14, 1925, in Allentown, he was the son of the late Sallie and Radies Bower.

Ten days after his death, he would have been 91.

He grew up on Union Street, Allentown, where he lived until joining the U.S. Marine Corps at age 17 during his senior year at Allen High School.

As a young boy, he attended Sunday School and church at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Allentown.

He met his future wife, Doris June (Renninger), in Allentown on the Liberty Bell trolley in 1951.

Smitten immediately by her blue eyes, the couple married in 1952, at Salem United Methodist Church, Allentown, where he remained a lifelong and active member of that congregation.

Their marriage, judged by many to be a perfect and harmonious union, lasted nearly 64 years.

During World War II, he served in the U.S. Marines for three-and-a-half years in the South Pacific, including the invasion of Okinawa where he was wounded.

As a result of those wounds, he was the recipient of a Purple Heart.

Following his recovery from wounds suffered during the Okinawan campaign, he rejoined his 6th Marine Corps unit in Tsingtao, China.

A U.S. Postal Service letter carrier, he retired in 1986 after 42 years of service.

During his retirement, he and his wife traveled widely including many international trips.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by their only child Craig of Argyle, Texas, and his wife, Pamela; grandsons Jeffrey and Joshua; brother Karl of Arlington, Texas, his wife Carla, and nephew Kevin and his daughter, Meagan, of Dallas, Texas; brother-in-law Foster Renninger of Wescosville; nephew Scott Renninger, his wife, Melody, and their children Stephanie and Taylor of Macungie; nieces Judy Kerchner, Georgene Bleiler, Susan Treese, and nephew Rick Bower, all of Allentown area. Kevin Bower kept a tireless vigil at the end of his life.

He was predeceased by his brother Ralph and sisters Carmen, and Claire Wieder.

Contributions may be made to the Luther Crest Benevolent Fund, Salem United Methodist Church or Texas4000.org, a nonprofit cancer research 4,500 mile bike ride in which his grandson will take part, all c/o Trexler Funeral Home, 1625 W. Highland St., PA Allentown, 18102.

Arrangements made by Trexler Funeral Home, Allentown.