James "Tommy" Bouler

James Thomas (“Tommy/Tom”) Bouler, age 61, formerly of Bashi, AL, passed away September 25, 2021 in Hammond, LA.  Tommy was born December 9, 1959 to J.T. & Elizabeth Anderson Bouler, who preceded him in death.  He grew up in the Bashi/Thomasville AL area. After graduating from Thomasville High School in 1978, Tommy moved to Tuscaloosa, AL to work for Finley Towing. While there, he met the love of his life, Donna Pennington and they married in 1979.  Tommy then entered the U.S. Air Force, used his intellectual gifts and trained to be an interpreter of the Russian language.  He and Donna enjoyed their travels to bases around the world including England, Utah, Colorado, and Washington D.C. After Donna’s death in 1985, Tommy served as liaison to the U.S. Embassy in Russia.  Upon his retirement, Tommy moved back to Bashi, AL to care for his father.  

Family was very important to Tommy.  He was always up for a ride to visit cousins and extended family to help with projects or to just spend time together.  Even with his “mountain man” appearance, children were drawn to him and his gentleness toward them.  Tommy had a love for nature.  He had a garden every year until his health would not permit it.  Music was another love of Tommy’s life.  Early on, he was welcomed as a member of Thomasville, Alabama’s elite “Studio 122 Pickers” - along with Lavern Mott, Lewis Herron, and Ralph Kelley.  He was incredibly gifted and could play just about any stringed instrument.  He was generous in sharing his musical knowledge and instruments - playing & singing along with cousins and children of cousins on guitar, mandolin, ukulele, banjo, etc.  Holidays and family gatherings were so much fun with him around.  

Tommy was an avid reader and, consequently, gathered knowledge on a vast array of topics.  Conversation with him was always interesting & intriguing, and occasionally passionate.  Recently, Tommy made a bold move from Bashi, AL and settled in Hammond, LA where he enjoyed building upon and adding new meaningful relationships with family and church community there.  Memories of Tommy will always make us smile and probably tap a toe or two.  In the quiet of the country, Tommy studied and pondered deeply.  Like the mystics, he believed that God is Love.  He loved the people in his life.  In that pure and mutual love, we encounter the Kingdom.  So, in Tommy’s memory, may love always be our goal.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend Tommy's Celebration of Life Service on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at 12:00 noon, at First Christian Church, 305 E. Charles St. Hammond, LA, 70401.