1923
Rupert
2015
Rupert Dowell Jr.
February 15, 1923 — April 22, 2015
Rupert Lindsey (R.L.) Dowell Jr., 92, of Amarillo went to be with his Savior in heaven on April 22, 2015.
A memorial celebration will be held at Grace Church, 4111 Plains Blvd., Amarillo, Texas at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 25, 2015. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 South Georgia Street, Amarillo, Texas.
R.L. Dowell, Jr. was born February 15, 1923 in Slaton, Texas. He was the son of R.L. Dowell, Sr. and Minerva Bartley Dowell. He grew up and attended school in Hereford, Texas where he delivered papers as a young man. It was there that he found his love story. He and Nona Deen Rose were married on March 18, 1944 in Hereford. He was a member of the United States Army Air Corp and was a fighter pilot in WWII, flying P-51 Mustangs. On October 12, 1944 his plane was shot down and he bailed out over Germany. He was reported Missing in Action on October 31. He was subsequently a prisoner of war in Germany until he was liberated along with many other servicemen on April 29, 1945. He attended West Texas State College in Canyon and graduated from the University of Texas with his Bachelor of Business Administration in May of 1949. He passed the CPA exams on his first try and worked as a partner at Cornell & Company in Amarillo until he retired in 1986. The family attended Polk Street United Methodist Church for many years and greatly enjoyed working with the students in the Methodist Youth Fellowship. In 1970, they became very involved in a non-denomination Bible church and for many years have been members of Grace Church, a Calvary Chapel of Amarillo. He served as a valued board member, treasurer and beloved greeter at the church for several years, and hosted a men’s Bible study in his home every other Saturday. He lives on in his daughters, Lindsey Rose Givens of Artesia, NM and Delyse Baker and husband, Rick, of Amarillo, 10 grandchildren, six “grand” in-laws, 23 great grandchildren, one brother, John Dowell and wife Helen of Arizona, four nephews and one niece, and many more “adopted” kids, grandkids and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Nona Deen Dowell, his parents, two brothers, Bartley Dowell of Hereford and Gene Dowell of Arizona, one son-in-law, Gary Givens of New Mexico, and one grandson-in-law Jim Kendall of Amarillo.
Our Auri stood strong as the head of our family through every joy and heartache we ever experienced together. He was our rock and our leader, guiding and supporting us through every milestone and showing us, with his gentle presence, the kind of love and respect we ought to have for one another and for all others. He was full of wisdom, patience, kindness, laughter and a heart that loved everyone he knew. His love and beautiful impact far out-reached the borders of his family. It stretched to countless others in his church family and “adopted” kids and grandkids. He was a true gentleman who led a life with quiet confidence and strength that spoke deeply to so many hearts and touched so many lives. His legacy is one of profound faith, chivalry and unconditional love and it is one we will never forget.
A memorial celebration will be held at Grace Church, 4111 Plains Blvd., Amarillo, Texas at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 25, 2015. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 South Georgia Street, Amarillo, Texas.
R.L. Dowell, Jr. was born February 15, 1923 in Slaton, Texas. He was the son of R.L. Dowell, Sr. and Minerva Bartley Dowell. He grew up and attended school in Hereford, Texas where he delivered papers as a young man. It was there that he found his love story. He and Nona Deen Rose were married on March 18, 1944 in Hereford. He was a member of the United States Army Air Corp and was a fighter pilot in WWII, flying P-51 Mustangs. On October 12, 1944 his plane was shot down and he bailed out over Germany. He was reported Missing in Action on October 31. He was subsequently a prisoner of war in Germany until he was liberated along with many other servicemen on April 29, 1945. He attended West Texas State College in Canyon and graduated from the University of Texas with his Bachelor of Business Administration in May of 1949. He passed the CPA exams on his first try and worked as a partner at Cornell & Company in Amarillo until he retired in 1986. The family attended Polk Street United Methodist Church for many years and greatly enjoyed working with the students in the Methodist Youth Fellowship. In 1970, they became very involved in a non-denomination Bible church and for many years have been members of Grace Church, a Calvary Chapel of Amarillo. He served as a valued board member, treasurer and beloved greeter at the church for several years, and hosted a men’s Bible study in his home every other Saturday. He lives on in his daughters, Lindsey Rose Givens of Artesia, NM and Delyse Baker and husband, Rick, of Amarillo, 10 grandchildren, six “grand” in-laws, 23 great grandchildren, one brother, John Dowell and wife Helen of Arizona, four nephews and one niece, and many more “adopted” kids, grandkids and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Nona Deen Dowell, his parents, two brothers, Bartley Dowell of Hereford and Gene Dowell of Arizona, one son-in-law, Gary Givens of New Mexico, and one grandson-in-law Jim Kendall of Amarillo.
Our Auri stood strong as the head of our family through every joy and heartache we ever experienced together. He was our rock and our leader, guiding and supporting us through every milestone and showing us, with his gentle presence, the kind of love and respect we ought to have for one another and for all others. He was full of wisdom, patience, kindness, laughter and a heart that loved everyone he knew. His love and beautiful impact far out-reached the borders of his family. It stretched to countless others in his church family and “adopted” kids and grandkids. He was a true gentleman who led a life with quiet confidence and strength that spoke deeply to so many hearts and touched so many lives. His legacy is one of profound faith, chivalry and unconditional love and it is one we will never forget.
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