George McArthur Dowdle
August 17, 1942 ~ February 1, 2016
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
George McArthur Dowdle, 73, of Asheville, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 1, 2016 at his residence.
A native of Macon County, he was a son of the late Arthur and Madge Shope Dowdle. He was also preceded in death by one sister, Gail Dowdle Pitman; two brothers, Jerry Dowdle and Ray Shope and his wife, Shirley; father and mother-in-laws, Fred and Kathryn Jones.
George served his country in the US Marine Corps and went on to work for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, retiring with over 30 years of service as a Line Sergeant. He was an active member of West Asheville Baptist Church for 31 years, where he was a former Deacon and Usher and served on several committees. He was also a member of the Fishers of Men Sunday School class at West Asheville Baptist and coached the church softball teams for many years.
He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Kathryn Jones Dowdle; one daughter, K, Paige Dowdle of Spartanburg, SC; one son, Cam Dowdle of Asheville; three grandchildren, Priv. Hunter Dowdle of Ft. Jackson, SC, Skylar Dowdle of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee and Taylor Dowdle of Asheville and their mother, Melanie Byrd Dowdle; two sisters, Julia Anne Dowdle and Nancy Lowe and her husband, Jimmy; one brother, Ronnie Dowdle and his wife, Ruth; one aunt, Ruth Holbrooks; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bruce and Jackie Jones and Rev. Ken and Margie Jones, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A funeral service with honors provided by the NCSHP will be held at 11:30 AM on Thursday, February 4, 2016 at West Asheville Baptist Church with Rev. Tony Hooper officiating. Interment will be held at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue. Tommy Austin, Mike Matthews, Butch Oxner, Danny Wills, David Haynes, Chuck Knowlton, David Clark and Bobby Hughes will serve as pallbearers and retired State Troopers Jim Baker and Tim Drake will be honorary pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in George's name to the West Asheville Baptist Church Building Fund, 926 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806.
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Prayers for all of you during this time
Thoughts and prayers for the family. George was one of my most favorite people…I’ll miss him tremendously!
Prayers from Anne Bingham Scott to all your family.
My heart and prayers go out to the entire family. I knew George for several years, having attended West Asheville Baptist Church and also working for law enforcement. He was certainly a wonderful person to know.
SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF A GREAT MAN AND SUPERVISOR ON THE NCSHP… HE WAS MY LINE SGT. WHEN I WAS STATIONED IN BRYSON CITY, N.C. AND I REMEMBER WHEN HE LIVED IN MT. CARMEL NEXT TO MY UNCLE JIM KING. HE WAS A MAN OF GOD AND LOVED HIS CHURCH… YOU WILL BE MISSED. GOD BLESS THE FAMILY
Dear Kathy and family, A fine, honorable man passed over to the arms of our Heavenly Father. I am so sorry to learn about George passing. Praying for all at this time .
George was a great man ,always giving me a hard time .It’s an honor to have got to know such a great man as Mr dowdle. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. God bless
I am so sorry for your loss. I never met George, but heard a lot about him as my husband, Grover Webb, Jr. was in the Marine Corp with him. He sent me condolences through a cousin, William Thurmond, when my husband died in 2006. My husband thought a lot of him. Always thought he was a fine person and patrolman from what I heard of him. May God bless you and the family as you grieve.
George Dowdle was a larger than life big brother to me. Funny and sincere. It was a great day when I could get this tough man to laugh! He graciously opened his home and family For me. I always admired his strength in God. Thank You George, all my Love, Tammy
so very sorry ,Katherine Ann you and your family are in our prayers ,wish we were closer so we could see you ,we love you
George was always a true friend. I will miss our routine talks and the encouraging words he always had to share.
Cam, Sorry for your loss. We, The FHS Class of 1985 think of you often and we send our condolences to you and your family.
Nancy, we are very sorry for your loss. We are praying for you and your family as you mourn George’s passing. Though I know that you miss him dearly I also know that you are grateful that he is no longer in any pain. The Good News is that you will see him again and the only tears shed will be of joy in the presence of our Savior.
Kathy, Paige & Cam,
Kathy, I am so sorry to hear about George. It was a shock to read. Your husband & Dad was an awesome man. You all will definitely be in my prayers as you go through this difficult time.
One funny memory I have from my West Asheville Baptist times was talking to George in our office about tickets. I asked him, ‘How far over the speed limit could I go to not get a ticket?’ He said, ‘you can go four miles over and be fine, five is usually okay, but six over & your mine and he cracked up.’ So after about 18 years I still don’t go over five miles over the speed limit and think of him.
Kathy, I am so sorry to hear of George’s passing. He was a good man and a good friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Kathy,
I just realized that I didn’t use my maiden name from when we worked at church together. So I’m reposting .
Kathryn, you and your family are in our Prayers and thoughts. George was a good christian man and will be missed by everyone. We are so sorry for you loss.
We were so sorry to hear of cousin George’s passing. We have lost truly good and honorable man. Thoughts and prayers to his friends and family from cousin Gary and Anne in Montana.
So sorry to hear of George’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.
Kathy, Cam & Paige,
George was no doubt one of my favorite folks at WABC. His dry sense of humor gave me many chuckles. He was one of a kind no doubt. Cherish the memories. & comfort knowing that he is now in the presence of The Lord. My condolences & love are with you.
Your family has meant so very much to our family over the years and we will truly miss George’s quick wit and that sweet smile. Please know our prayers are with you all and we are confident he is worshipping his Lord before the throne.
Sending prayers for your family.
Mrs Cathy,Cam,Paige and family,
I was truly saddened to hear of George’s passing. He was always some one I looked up to as a teen, and became a true friend as an adult. I will never forget his wisdom and direction early in my law enforcement career.We didn’t see each other often but every time we did there was always a big smile a firm handshake and we would pick up where we had last left off. Heaven has gained a special one, but soon we will see him again.
Your in my thoughts and prayers.
Kathy, although we haven’t seen each other for a long time, we still remember the times we spent together when we were teenagers and y’all were our teachers. Those times made impacts on us we won’t forget. Your Christian character and influence helped guide us as we grew up. You and George were very important and kind to us and many others. Thank you so much. Our prayers continue for you and your family. Sincerely, Linda and Jim Cope.
May God Bless, and keep you, and comfort you in these difficult times.
I am very sorry to hear of George’s passing. He was a great believer and a huge example to any young person. My love and condolences to Kathy, Paige and Cam.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
KATHY, YOU AND THE FAMILY ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS.
SO SORRY TO HEAR OF GEORGE’S PASSING.
You all are in my thoughts and prayers. George always greeted me with his sweet smile and giant hug every time I saw him. Most days that is what I really needed, along with his gentle words of encouragement. He was one-of-a-kind and will be missed by everyone. Love you Ms Kathy!
Kathy, We know this is a very sad time for you and your family. George was a dear friend, and I enjoyed working with him. We will be praying for you to have peace and strength. You have been a wonderful caregiver and wife. We will miss him.
Thoughts and prayers to the family!
Kathy I am remembering you in this sweet sorrow. Love to you and your children. Janet Jacobs Greene from Franklin.
Our deepest sympathies on your loss, we love you Nancy.
Kathy my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I worked in the law enforcement profession for many years and knew George. He had a great sense of humor and professional at his job. It was a pleasure to know him.
I worked in the law enforcement profession for many years and knew George. He had a great sense of humor and professional at his job. It was a pleasure to know him. My prayers are with the family… We will see him again someday if we know Christ as our Savior has he did.
So sorry to hear of George’s passing. We all loved him so much. Enjoyed the times that we gathered inOtto for reunion. He will be missed. Rest wel in the Lord George. See you soon!!
Kathryn Ann, so sorry to hear of George’s passing. I will always remember being your junior bridesmaid. Much love, Rita
Kathy, Paige, and Cam,
I am so sorry to hear of George’s passing. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Much love, Lindy
Rest in peace to one of my favorite uncles!! You will truly be missed and thought of very often! Everyone please keep my family in your prayers..love always uncle George.. Your niece amber!!
Condolences from the Bob Shope family. May the Lord comfort you in your loss and reunite you with your loved one on that fine day when Jesus calls us all home.
Our deepest sympathy to the entire family. George was such a wonderful man, kind hearted, and always happy to see you. He truly will be missed. We love you!
Kathy, Paige & Cam, I’m SO sorry to see that George passed away! You are all in my prayers! I’m sure mother will be happy to see him! So sorry for your loss!!
Love & prayers!
Vicki
I am so sorry to hear of George’s passing. The Dowdle children, my first cousins, were very much a part of my growing up. Although life and obligations drifted us apart still waters run deep and the precious memories of childhood linger on. I will remember you, the family in prayer as you prepare for and endure the final rites as you surrender George into the hands of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.
I’m so sorry to hear about George. He always had a smile on his face and a firm handshake when he greeted me at church. He will be missed. God bless your family!
Katherine Ann, George will be missed by all who knew him and we have a lot of good memories of him. We will be keeping you and Cam and Paige in our prayers.
So sorry to hear of George’s passing. He and I served during the same time frame, although I was stationed in Hickory. I remember seeing him at the training center, and other assignments. He was a special person!
My Sincere Sympathy, Retired Trooper David Jarrett
Kathy, Paige, Cam and family, please know we thought the world of your dad and husband. He always greeted you with a positive smile handshake
and a hug. Always willing to go the extra mile to help. True man of God with a giving spirit. I know you will miss him but he is walking the streets of Gold.
… can’t wait ’til we all get to heaven…. God Bless you and keep you all!
Kathy, Paige and Cam and family, I am so sorry to here about George. I have wonderful childhood memories with all of you when y’all lived in Statesville. Praying for peace and comfort during this difficult time.
My heart is sad for your loss, I pray peace for you all, and send you my love.
Kathy, Paige, Cam and family, so sad to read of George’s passing. What special memories I have of when you lived in Franklin. What a wonderful part of First Baptist you all were. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Loved your dad and love all of you.
Asking God to surround each of you during this time. I know the journey will have many ups & downs but there is a true peace in knowing He’s walking with His Lord! Love your sweet family and please reach out if our family can do anything for you!
I’m so sorry to hear of Mr. Dowdle’s passing. I loved him so much! Please know your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Praying God’s peace will surround your precious family during this time.
Love you all,
Dyanne Stribling Parker
What a beautiful picture tribute. I will always miss his greeting me with, ‘Hey gal!’ a hug and a smile. He was a good man and loved his family. Kathy, Cam, and Paige, know that we love you all and you are in our prayers. Our loss is heavens gain!
If I may,,,,, I would like to speak from the hearts of all of us that wore the colors of the ‘confederate grey’ with him,,, and had George as a fellow Trooper. And from the ‘boys’ (as he called us) that had him for our Line Sergeant. We would acknowledge that he will truly be missed by all that met him. As a State Trooper, you could always see the kindness in George’s heart in the line of duty, even when he had the tasking duty sometimes to supervise us. He somehow could always get a smile from you, and he was good at it. Because, you could never look at his face when you met, without the first thing you noticed,,,,, was that BIG smile of his….. He was a kind soul that God reflected His goodness, and you could see it through the windows of George’s eyes. But it will not be the job that he will be remembered for the most,,,,, it will be his whole life’s works that touched all that knew him. ‘God’s speed George,,,,,, and comfort to all your family’.
So sad to hear about George’s passing. He definitely fought the hard battle. My thoughts and prayers are with the family
This week we lay to rest a wonderful man. A man I was always glad to see from time to time. For me he was like a security blanket knowing he was always a phone call away. Getting a big smile from him after a joke was hard. But a subtle grin or wink as his head would turn to walk away was common. I will remember his love for his God his family and his Brave’s. I was proud to know him. I was proud to call him my friend. But most of all l was proud to call him my Uncle.
George was a Wonderful Man. Always pleasant, loved his family and his church. He will be missed. My thoughts and Prayers to Kathy and the family. He certainly will Rest in Peace.
Kathy, Paige, Cam and family our hearts go out to all of you in the passing of your husband, father, grandfather, he will be truly missed! He was such a wonderful man, we will miss his beautiful smile and greeting us at WABC, a true servant of God. He was in our thoughts & prayers as he struggled with his illness! May God give you all Peace & Comfort knowing he is no longer suffering, healed in his heavenly home! RIP George, loved you Karen/Bill C.
Kathy & Family, Our love and sympathy go out to each of you in the loss of George. He was an outstanding man to everyone who knew him. He will surely be missed at WABC. The service today was very special just like George. God be with you during the difficult time. Love and Prayers —————— Betty Plemmons & Carl Swann
What a loving tribute to such a kind, loving and caring person who so many thought of as a friend. Kathy, Cam and Paige he will be missed. He was so honorable and had such a strong faith. May Revelation 21:3.4 bring you comfort..’With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: ‘Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes,and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.The former things have passed away.’? I love you all and my thoughts and prayers are with you. Suzanne
What an HONOR to call George McArthur Dowdle MY uncle! My Dad’s brother/best friend and the man who stepped up after I lost Daddy and became a ‘father figure’ in my life. He supported me, loved me, encouraged me, and always made me want to make him proud of the woman God had called me to be. I’ll never forget all the hugs and the many times he would hug me good bye and with the tears running down his cheek he would say…. ‘Don’t ever change, stay just the way you are’. Knowing he loved me (just the way I am) will continue to help me to press on for the days ahead. To my precious family, Aunt Kathy, Paige, and Cam… continue to press on! We’ll ALL be reunited again… heaven is only sweeter now that we know he too is awaiting there for us. To the most AMAZING uncle a lady could ever hope or dream of calling her very own… ‘Uncle George, you impacted my life in a positive way and I will forever be honored to be a part of our family. I miss you so much. I’ll promise to meet you there… FOREVER in MY heart!