William Eugene "Gene" McDowell

TEXARKANA, Ark. -- William Eugene "Gene" McDowell, of 
Texarkana, Ark., departed this life Tuesday, February 
13, 2007, after a courageous battle with cancer. He 
will be deeply missed by his family and friends. He was 
born April 4, 1935, in Ogden, Ark., and was a 1953 
graduate of Ashdown High School in Ashdown, Ark. He 
graduated in 1954 from Parkland Hospital, School of 
Radiological Technology. He volunteered and served in 
the 49th Armored Division of the National Guard during 
the Berlin crisis. Eugene graduated in 1971 from ETSU in 
Commerce. He worked for Medical Center Hospital of Tyler, 
from 1957-1974 as a registered radiologic technologist. 
Eugene retired from Cooper Tire and Rubber Co. of 
Texarkana, Ark. in 1997. Eugene served on the board of 
directors for the NAIC ArkLaTex Chapter of Investors in 
Shreveport, La., and was a member of the Texarkana No. 341, 
Free and Accepted Masons of Texarkana, Ark. Eugene was a 
faithful member of Fairview United Methodist Church for 32 
years, where he was an usher, served on the administration 
board and was president of his Sunday school class, Pairs 
and Spairs. Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, 
Sid and Dovie McDowell; sister, Deborah Ann McDowell; and 
brother, Sid Ward McDowell. Survivors include his spouse of 
46 years, Linda Lou Fisher McDowell; son, Lynn McDowell and 
wife, Vicki; son, Brad McDowell; and daughter, Melonie and 
husband, Doug Ramsey of Fayetteville, Ark. His four 
grandchildren were the pride and joy of his life: Nicholas 
and wife, Amanda McDowell of Texarkana, Pfc. Nathan McDowell 
of Fort Hood Army Base and Karlie and Caroline Ramsey of 
Fayetteville, Ark. One stepgreat-grandaughter, Haylie Seymour; 
two sisters and brothers-in-law, Glenda and Doug Miller of 
Texarkana, and Betty Lou and Sonny Cobb of Ashdown, Ark.; and 
a brother and sister-in-law, Don and Eileen McDowell of 
Glendale, Ariz.; as well as a large extended family of aunts, 
uncles, nieces and nephews also survive him. Special heartfelt 
thanks are sent to Dr. G. Engstrum, Dr. L Vereen, Dr. J. Graham, 
Dr. Parham, Dr. O' Banion and Dr. S. Balachandran for the care 
and compassion extended to our husband, father, grandfather, 
brother, uncle and friend in his gallant fight with cancer. 
Celebration of life services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, February 
16, 2007, at Texarkana Funeral Home in Texarkana, Ark., with the 
Reverend Barbara Gilbert officiating. Interment, with Masonic 
rites, will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday in Ashland Cemetery of Diana. 
Honorary pallbearers will be the men of Fairview United Methodist 
Church. Memorial contributions may be made to Fairview United 
Methodist Church, 1524 Laurel, Texarkana, AR 71854. Visitation 
will be from 5-6:30 p.m. this evening, February 15, 2007, at 
Texarkana Funeral Home in Texarkana, Ark. The register book is 
online at www.texarkanafuneralhome.com.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 2/15/2007.