James Arthur McDowell

Jim was born on October 13, 1948 in Buffalo, NY. The oldest of four children, Jim left home to serve our country with the U.S. Navy as a Seaman Recruit in 1969 on the USS Mispillion, an oiler off the coast of Vietnam. After five years on the oiler, he returned to Long Beach, CA and met his wife and partner of 48 years. Jim became a hometown recruiter for the Navy back in Buffalo where his first son, Sean was born. In 1978, Jim’s next duty station was located in San Diego, CA on the USS Halsey. During their family stay in San Diego, his second son, Christopher, was born. In 1980, Jim was deployed on the USS Okinawa and commissioned as an Officer of the U.S. Navy. Upon return, they found their way back to the East Coast and settled in Springfield, VA in 1982. Over the next several years, Jim supported the Defense Intelligence Agency and Chief of Naval Operations. In 1986, he began his final ship deployment on the USS Coral Sea. Through 1990 to 2000, Jim's duty locations were Crystal City, VA, Washington DC, New London, CT, and Newport, RI. For the last 20 years of service, Jim traveled while on active duty ensuring his family did not have to leave their home in Springfield, VA. In addition, Jim was an active volunteer in the community to include coaching youth soccer teams and taking on the role as the SYC football commissioner.

Having served in the Vietnam War on 2 different vessels, Jim retired after 32 years of honorable service as a Commander. His service to his country took him far and away, but his heart was always at home with his family.

Jim then entered the private sector with EDS/Hewlett-Packard from 2001-2017 supporting the construction and logistics of the Navy/Marine Corps Intranet. Colleagues of his have expressed their joy and appreciation of Jim’s work ethic, honesty, selflessness, and courage.

Jim was known for walking thousands of steps a day, always with a dog by his side. His happy place was the beach, gardening, rooting for Washington DC sports teams as well as his hometown Bills and Sabers. Being a season ticket holder of 20+ years, Jim often went to Washington Capital games with friends, neighbors, and family. His grandchildren were his pride and joy – you’d see him on a slide at Cox Farms, laying on the floor playing with little ones, listening to music lessons, helping with word studies, or cheering at pee wee hockey games.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Arthur. He is survived by his wife, Lynette McDowell, and sons Sean and Christopher McDowell, his grandchildren Lindsey, Lauryn, Lacey, Brooks, Anna, and Kit, daughter-in-law Julia, as well as his mother, Iona and three siblings Carol, Thomas “Tommy”, and Debra “Debbie”.

Over the past five years, Jim battled renal cancer and fought every day to stay active and engaged with his family. Everyone was in awe of his selflessness and perseverance. He was the rock that kept everyone together. He will be missed dearly.

A celebration will take place on October 6th, 2022 between 4-8pm EST at Demaine Funeral Home (Details below). A second celebration will occur during the Spring of 2023 in which the U.S. Navy will honor his service at Arlington National Cemetery (Details available in a few months).

In lieu of sending flowers, please feel free to make a donation in name of James McDowell to the charity organization, K9s for Warriors: https://k9sforwarriors.org/