Don E. Dowdy, 75, of Cleveland, TN, passed away Friday January 11, 2013.
He was an exceptional father, grandfather and friend. He was of the Baptist faith. Don enlisted in the Army in 1955 with plans to serve his required three years, but things happened along the way, and twenty-two years later he found himself still serving his country. As Don explained “When I finished high school, it was difficult to get a job, so I decided to enlist, serve my three years and get on with my life”. After his three year stint was completed, he discovered that jobs outside the military were in short supply. Having only ninety days to re-enlist and maintain the same rank and pay, Don, on the eighty-ninth day re-enlisted.
As a Weapons Specialist (CW03) for all types of weapons in the Armament Field, Don served numerous tours of duty including Korea, Vietnam and Germany. He earned the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star Medal (lst Oak Leaf Cluster), Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Silver and 2 Bronze Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal w60 Device, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Pal and 4 Overseas Service Stars.
After his Army retirement in 1976, Don took a second career at Duracell and retired a second time after 21 years of service in 2001. He earned his BSBA from Tusculum College in 1986. Don was a member of American Legion, the Forty & Eight, and was a supporter of the Forty & Eight nursing scholarship program.
He was preceded in death by parents, George and Francis Jackson Dowdy; and a sister, Shirley Dowdy.
He is survived by his wife of forty one years, Alene Gardner Dowdy; three daughters, Joyce and husband Steve Clark of Chattanooga, Terry Dowdy and Kathy and husband Jeremy Timmerman all of Cleveland; three grandchildren, Chase Clark, Kennedy Timmerman and Emma Timmerman; one brother, Bob Dowdy; cousin, Tommie Sorg; and a host of friends and family.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 16, in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens with full military honors. Jeremy Timmerman, Chase Clark, Rick Simmering, Mark Hirshfeld, Albert Hirshfeld and Don Brown will serve as pallbearers. Steve Clark, Gerald Gardner and Robert Dowdy are honorary pallbearers. A white dove release will conclude the service.
The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, January 15, at the Ralph Buckner Funeral Home who has charge of the arrangements.
The family suggests donations be made to American Legion Post 81, Forty & Eight Nursing Scholarship, 227 James Asbury Dr. N.W., Cleveland, TN 37312.