Thaddeus was born in Phoenix, Arizona on July 15 1937, to his mother Apollonia Van De Buken and father Pleamon Jackson Sowell. He served as a submarine sailor for the United States Navy for 23 years. He served as a detention officer in Maricopa County, for 17 years. Thad lived in the Phoenix Valley, off and on, all of his life. He loved to travel and enjoyed geocaching; following his hides on the adventures. Thaddeus Joseph Sowell passed away June 12, 2019 he is survived by one sister, three brothers, three daughters, nine grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.