Obituary
David Raymond Dowell, known to his friends and family as Dave or Davey, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Saturday, June 22nd, at the age of 73 in DeLand, FL after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer.
Born August 26, 1950, in Des Moines, Iowa, Dave was an entrepreneur and an example of someone who achieved the American dream. After graduating from East High School, he attended Mankato State University and was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon, TKE, fraternity. He was the first member of his family to attend college and graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1972. After college he spent the next 25 years working in the assisted living/nursing home industry; including Administrator of the Manly Care Center, in Manly, IA, which he opened in 1979. He moved his family to DeLand, FL, in 1983 where he was the Administrator of Ridge Crest Manor. After relocating, he wasted no time in establishing new facilities throughout Florida. Together with his wife and brother, they successfully owned and managed assisted living and nursing home facilities until 1996. He then shifted into manufacturing aquarium gravel, which he jokingly said, “was the furthest thing he could find from healthcare.” In 1999 he moved to Scottsdale, AZ where he lived for 25 years and where he started his last venture of brokering commercial aviation parts. He was a tireless worker who believed life’s accomplishments could be achieved by combining hard work with a never give up attitude. His commitment to work was only surpassed by his never-ending love and dedication for his family. He grew up playing and competing in all sports, but his lifelong passion was golf, which he shared with his family and friends until the very end.
Dave is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Sharon; his two children, Matthew, Benjamin (Jeanne) Dowell; three grandchildren, John, Brian, and Finley; brother Michael (Deborah) Dowell; and sister Cheryl (Brian) Barnes. He is preceded by his parents; Clyde and Evelyn Dowell; and wife, Anna Marie Dowell.
Service will be held at Lohman Funeral Home on June 29th, at 2:00 p.m. He will be laid to rest at DeLand Memorial Gardens.