JAMES ALEXANDER MCDOWELL

Obituary James Alexander McDowell Sr. was born October 14, 1932 to Annie McDowell and Eddie Manor in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. In September of 1953, James married Clara Jane Moore. They were married for sixty-seven years and had four beautiful children. He spent his early life raised by his grandmother, Georgia McDowell, in Oklahoma. James spent his days alongside his brother, Harold McDowell, playing sports. At night, the brothers joined their grandmother listening to the radio or singing hymns. While he was introduced to Christ early in life, James did not accept Him until later. He served as a Deacon at Bethany Missionary Baptist Church. Later, he joined the rest of his family at Covenant Presbyterian Church where he remained a member until death. James graduated from Dunbar High School in 1951. During his time there, he participated in track and field, played basketball, and football in which he lettered. He attended Langston University in 1951 but put his education on hold to serve his country in the Army from September 15, 1953 to September 14, 1955. He finished his Biology and Physical Education degree in May 1957. He worked at the Post Office from October 1957 to November 1961. He became a social worker for Kansas City from May 1961 to July 1963. After, he began employment with the Social Security Administration on July 7, 1963, retiring in June 1989 after thirty-two years of loyal service. The memories of his life are left behind to his four children, Beverly McDowell, James McDowell Jr. (Denise), Lance McDowell, and Valarie McDowell. As well as six grandchildren: Steven McDowell, Andre McDowell, Andrew McDowell, James Thornton, Ryan McDowell (Alexandria), Janel McDowell, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Of everything he was taught, remember to take pride in yourself and your family because, in the words of his grandmother, “all you have in this world is your name, and you should be proud of that.” Funeral Services will be held at 11am on Thursday, December 17th at Mount Calvary COGIC 2422 Van Brunt Blvd. KCMO 64127. Visitation 10am. Interment Blue Ridge Lawn Cemetery. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of JAMES ALEXANDER MCDOWELL, please visit our floral store. Read More

JAMES ALEXANDER MCDOWELL

October 14, 1932 - December 8, 2020