Statler Family Obituaries
McDowell, Gary Lane
Gary Lane McDowell, 74, of Jackson, died Friday, November 23, 2012 at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo.
He was born January 26, 1938, in Cape Girardeau to Robert Lee and Ilda Shaner McDowell. He attended Fruitland Grade School and graduated from Jackson High School and Southeast Missouri University with honors. He was an avid debater in school and college. Upon graduation he received the Woodrow Wilson Scholarship to pursue his doctorate degree in Economics from Columbia University in New York City. While there, he completed his dissertation on the Little River Drainage District entitled the case of “The Swampeast”.
He taught at Dartmouth University in Hanover, New Hampshire, Roberts University in Istanbul, Turkey, and others. He returned to the family farm in Jackson, and pursued his interest in writing, biblical research, and church work. He attended church at Christ Episcopal Church in Cape Girardeau.
He is survived by two sisters, Mary Ella Morton and Brenda (Johnie) Keene all of Jackson, two nephews, Mike Morton and John (Jennifer) Keene, one niece, Sherrie Troxel; and six great nieces and nephews, Matt Morton, Steffan, Alex Anne, Kyleigh, and Kristian Troxel, and Emilee Keene.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother-in –law, Robert J. Morton; and a brother, Bobby McDowell.
Memorials may take the form of contributions to the American Heart Association or Christ Episcopal Church Food Ministry.
Friends may call Wednesday, November 28, 2012 from 4 to 7 PM at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson; and Thursday, November 29, from 10:00 AM to service time at Christ Episcopal Church in Cape Girardeau. A memorial service will be held Thursday at 11:00 AM at the church, with Rev. Bob Towner officiating. Inurnment will be at Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau.
Printed in the Tuesday, November 27, 2012 edition of the Southeast Missourian, Cape Girardeau, MO.
©2012 by David Statler of StatlerWeb