1933
Richard
2016
Richard Dowell
November 5, 1933 — March 20, 2016
Richard Lawrence (Larry) Dowell, 82, of Chillicothe, MO died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his family at home on Sunday March 20th, 2016, the first day of spring.
Richard was born November 5th, 1933 in Chillicothe, Missouri to Nathanial H. Dowell and Nola Lee Brown.
He lived nearly all of his life in Chillicothe. He joined the Navy at age 17 and served in the Navy as a Seabee for nearly 4 years, building barracks during The Korean Conflict. He was stationed at Quadulan Island, Marshall Islands, and Japan. He was very proud to be an American serving his country. He was discharged in 1954, then moved back to Chillicothe where he began building a successful career in construction. He worked for Leonard Nibarger for 8 years then started his own business, Dowell Construction, in 1962. He developed a housing addition on the east side of town and has a street which bears his name. He and his wife, Joyce, also built and ran Dowell Apartments for many years. Richard remained in business until he retired in 1997 after 43 years. He continued to do many projects to help family and friends and commented that he kept so busy he didn't know how he ever held a regular job previously. He enjoyed helping his grandson, Tyler Mapel, build his Eagle Scout Project at Camp Ki-li-ro-ko.
Survivors include Joyce Ewing Dowell, his beloved wife of 62 years; daughter, Diana Mapel and husband Dave; son, Daniel Dowell and wife Tammy; daughter, Denise Mason and wife Maria C. Pulido, all of Chillicothe ; his grandchildren, Tyler Mapel of Georgia; Kylie Dowell of California; Morgan, and Devin Dowell, Lauren and Alayna Mason, all of Chillicothe.
He is also survived by his brother, James Dowell and wife Lora (of Chillicothe) ; sister, Barbara Ockenfels and husband Frank (of Chillicothe) ; brother Junior Dowell and wife Sherry of Oregon, and brother Bruce Dowell and wife Betty of Kansas City. He was adored by many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Richard "Richie" Nelson Dowell and granddaughter Christina "Tina" Mapel, brother Donald Dowell, sister Pauline (Dowell) Marchbanks, and sister Bessie (Dowell) Pitts.
Richard was very adventurous and loved to go sailing, ride motorcycles, snow and water ski, watch his grandchildren play sports, and travel with his family and friends. The family made many happy memories during their numerous family vacations. He also enjoyed gardening and yard work, and working in his beautiful flower beds. He could be found riding around Chillicothe on his red scooter as recently as last fall. Richard had a gleam in his vivid blue eyes and a kindness and concern for others.
He was a member of the Chillicothe United Methodist Church and a member of the Elks, and American Legion. He had also served on the church building committee, the Edgewood Cemetery board, and the board of the former Jenkins Townhouse.
Richard was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Donations may be made to the Tina Mapel Memorial Dog Park or the Grand River Multipurpose Center. On line condolences may be left at www.heritage-becausewecare.com .
Funeral services will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at the United Methodist Church of Chillicothe.
Burial will be at Edgewood Cemetery, Chillicothe.
A visitation will be held from 3:30 p.m. until the time of service (5:00 p.m.) at the United Methodist Church of Chillicothe
Arrangements are under the direction of Heritage Funeral Home, Chillicothe, MO.
Richard was born November 5th, 1933 in Chillicothe, Missouri to Nathanial H. Dowell and Nola Lee Brown.
He lived nearly all of his life in Chillicothe. He joined the Navy at age 17 and served in the Navy as a Seabee for nearly 4 years, building barracks during The Korean Conflict. He was stationed at Quadulan Island, Marshall Islands, and Japan. He was very proud to be an American serving his country. He was discharged in 1954, then moved back to Chillicothe where he began building a successful career in construction. He worked for Leonard Nibarger for 8 years then started his own business, Dowell Construction, in 1962. He developed a housing addition on the east side of town and has a street which bears his name. He and his wife, Joyce, also built and ran Dowell Apartments for many years. Richard remained in business until he retired in 1997 after 43 years. He continued to do many projects to help family and friends and commented that he kept so busy he didn't know how he ever held a regular job previously. He enjoyed helping his grandson, Tyler Mapel, build his Eagle Scout Project at Camp Ki-li-ro-ko.
Survivors include Joyce Ewing Dowell, his beloved wife of 62 years; daughter, Diana Mapel and husband Dave; son, Daniel Dowell and wife Tammy; daughter, Denise Mason and wife Maria C. Pulido, all of Chillicothe ; his grandchildren, Tyler Mapel of Georgia; Kylie Dowell of California; Morgan, and Devin Dowell, Lauren and Alayna Mason, all of Chillicothe.
He is also survived by his brother, James Dowell and wife Lora (of Chillicothe) ; sister, Barbara Ockenfels and husband Frank (of Chillicothe) ; brother Junior Dowell and wife Sherry of Oregon, and brother Bruce Dowell and wife Betty of Kansas City. He was adored by many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Richard "Richie" Nelson Dowell and granddaughter Christina "Tina" Mapel, brother Donald Dowell, sister Pauline (Dowell) Marchbanks, and sister Bessie (Dowell) Pitts.
Richard was very adventurous and loved to go sailing, ride motorcycles, snow and water ski, watch his grandchildren play sports, and travel with his family and friends. The family made many happy memories during their numerous family vacations. He also enjoyed gardening and yard work, and working in his beautiful flower beds. He could be found riding around Chillicothe on his red scooter as recently as last fall. Richard had a gleam in his vivid blue eyes and a kindness and concern for others.
He was a member of the Chillicothe United Methodist Church and a member of the Elks, and American Legion. He had also served on the church building committee, the Edgewood Cemetery board, and the board of the former Jenkins Townhouse.
Richard was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Donations may be made to the Tina Mapel Memorial Dog Park or the Grand River Multipurpose Center. On line condolences may be left at www.heritage-becausewecare.com .
Funeral services will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at the United Methodist Church of Chillicothe.
Burial will be at Edgewood Cemetery, Chillicothe.
A visitation will be held from 3:30 p.m. until the time of service (5:00 p.m.) at the United Methodist Church of Chillicothe
Arrangements are under the direction of Heritage Funeral Home, Chillicothe, MO.
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