Gary Michael Dowden

Gary Michael Dowden, 67, of Conroe, Texas, entered into rest January 26, 2019. He was born in Odessa, Texas on March 21, 1951. Gary graduated from Azle High School and received Master's Degree from the School of Life that we all attend.

He was married to Cynthia Maureen Megas-Dowden on July 13, 1991. After high school he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was active from January 27, 1970 through February 16, 1973. An Honorable Discharge For Sergeant Gary M. Dowden on the 29th day of October 1974.

After that he began working for Otis Engineering where his Uncle Roy Dowden was a Vice President. He cut his teeth there, then went on to work for Halliburton for 30 years. He worked for Well Testing Technologies, in Midland, Texas, then Tetra in Conroe, Texas and most recent for Covenant Testing and Technologies in Sugerland, Texas as a Technology & Quality Service Manager. He became disabled due to several health issues the last few years, but always kept in touch with all the friends he made from all over the world during his tenure in the Oil business. He loved history his favorite subject. He knew so much about Texas history. He would say you had to know your Texas history really well in order to graduate from high school. Beyond Texas history, he loved World War history, Korean, Vietnam, The Spanish American War and most of all The American Civil War. His great grandfather on his fathers side fought for the Confederacy. Gary was very proud of him. so he decided to try to join the Sons of Confederate Veterans. With historical proof he qualified to be a member under Major General Patrick Cleburne's 7th Texas Infantry Camp 2182 in December 2015. Besides history he LOVED fishing. He always wanted to live in a house with a fishing pond to spend his days doing nothing but casting lures. Oh well, we don't all get everything we wish for.

He is survived by his wife Cynthia and parents Barbara Hardy Dowden and James Dowden. Brothers John, Tommy, Dan and sister Diana. His Aunt Carolyn (Suzie) Reed & Aunt Margie Marsh, Uncle Roy, Cousins Tammy, Joie, Kevin and his two sons Christopher and Jeffery along with several grandchildren.

A gathering will be held in his honor on Saturday, February 2, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. inside the Chapel of American heritage Funeral Home, 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77038. The Celebration of Life service will commence at 12:00 p.m. after which the family would like to invite Gary's friends and loved ones to a catered reception, held in the Magnolia Room of American Heritage Funeral Home. His second Celebration of Life service will take place on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. inside the Chapel of Bean-Massey-Burge Funeral Home, 2951 S. Belt Line Road Grand Prairie, Texas 75052. He will then be escorted to the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery where he will be laid to rest with honors. Following the committal service, the family would like to invite Gary's friends and loved ones back to Bean-Massey-Burge Funeral Home for a catered reception and to share his memory.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to either The Kidney or Diabetes Foundations or The ASPCA or an animal charity in Gary's name.