A fifty-year resident of the Phoenix area, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on August 19, 2012. He was born in Douglas, IL, on May 27, 1926, the son of Walter and Ella Dowell, and was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Dowell, his son, Richard Dowell, his sister, Lois Copeland, and brothers Cedric, Eldon, Leslie and Wendell Dowell. Mr. Dowell attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN, and received his Electrical Engineering Degree in 1949. Mr. Dowell was active in Valley philanthropy, serving for many years as a member of The Phoenicians and the Serra Club. After a distinguished career at General Electric and Honeywell, Mr. Dowell built and operated the Bell Road Mini-Storage and was co-founder of M/V Acceptance, Ltd. Mr. Dowell is survived by four children, David (Fran) Dowell of Sacramento, CA, Gregory Dowell of Carlsbad, CA, Maureen (Mark) Conrad of Cave Creek, AZ, and Kevin (Annette) Dowell of Barrington, IL. Mr. Dowell is also survived by eleven adoring grandchildren, Kelley (West Sacramento, CA), Matthew (Oakland, CA), and Christopher (Walnut Creek, CA), Daniel, Tara and Ryan (Glendale, AZ), Lauren (Fremont, CA) and Kevin (San Bruno, CA), Natalie, Patrick and William (Barrington, IL) and three Great-Grandchildren, Mallory, Reid and Owen. A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 22, 2012, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, August 23, 2012, at 10:00 AM at Saint Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 6262 North Granite Reef Road, Scottsdale, followed by interment at the Holy Cross Cemetery, 10045 W. Thomas Road, Avondale. In lieu of flowers, his family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Desert Southwest Chapter, 1028 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85006.
Charlie Brown
I had the honor of enjoying lunch with Denny on several occasions. We shared a few laughs and he told me his story. Rest peacefully brother.
Charlie
JoAnn Hayes formerly JoAnn Coffman
I know it’s been a couple of years, but I just saw this and I wanted to say how special Denny was to me. I worked for him in 1983-1986. He was much more than my boss. He was my friend and he was like a dad to me sometimes. He told me his stories and gave me advice and emotional support when I needed it. We remained friends for years after I stopped working for him. I have thought about him very often, but I didn’t look him up until today. I hope the family is well and thriving.