Howard Lee Dowlearn Jr.

Howard Lee Dowlearn Jr, age 82, passed away on January 11, 2024 in Mesquite, Texas. He was born November 2, 1941 in Houston, Texas to Howard Lee Dowlearn Sr and Claudia Louse Atkins. Howard was raised in Houston Northside and graduated from Jefferson Davis High School in 1959. He married Nancy Ann (Bailey) Pannoni in 1972. The couple raised 7 children together, Howard's five plus Nancy's two. Howard was a Senior Inside Sales Rep and later Tulsa Branch Manager for Complete-Reading Electric, where he worked for 41 years.

In his spare time, Howard enjoyed working on cars, riding a motorcycle, doing household projects, tinkering with computers, talking to everyone he met, and having candy always within reach. He loved country music along with hits from the 50s and 60s--and he wasn't afraid to sing along. He was always learning something. And he always felt the need to keep busy, which meant he was frequently on the lookout for a new project.

His family and friends will remember Howard, above all, as a good and kind man. He loved life. He had a joyful heart as big as his native state of Texas, which he loved dearly. He was fiercely devoted to his family and spent as much time with them as he could. He was a man of deep faith, known for helping everyone he met, friend or stranger.

He is preceded in death by his father, Howard Lee Dowlearn Sr; mother, Claudia Louise Atkins; sister, Bobbie Dowlearn; daughter, LaVonne Thomas, and grandson, Owen Baker.

Survived by wife, Nancy Dowlearn; sister, Dorothy Martinez; children, Tamme Chilton, Rob Pannoni, Herbert Dowlearn, Teresa Coombs, Laurel Nixon, and Patrick Dowlearn, along with 23 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and a multitude of beloved extended family.

A visitation for Howard will be held Saturday, January 20, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Anderson-Clayton-Gonzalez Funeral Home, 1111 Military Pkwy, Mesquite, Texas 75149. A funeral service will occur Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 12:00 PM, 1111 Military Pkwy, Mesquite, Texas 75149. A committal service will occur Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Grove Hill Memorial Park, 3920 Samuell Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75228.