On 25 January 2021 Command Sergeant Major (CSM) John Will McDowell, Jr. received Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders from God. There was no need to pack his parachute, contact the transportation office, or the finance office. Everything had been prepared for his departure. His departure time was set for 0530 hrs, with full military honors.
Since his orders did not provide for concurrent travel, he had to leave his loving family behind. Mourning his departure is his wife of 60 years and best friend, Terry Jo (Sullivan) McDowell. He leaves one son, John Keith McDowell; one daughter Stephanie Dawn McDowell, whose love was unconditional. Other loving family members left behind include one niece, Gwendolyn (Winston) Dyson, three nephews; Johnny, Butch and Darryl Winston, one great nephew and seven great nieces, all of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He also has many relatives and friends in and around his hometown of Ware Shoals, South Carolina who will miss him. Preceding him in death are his parents, Mattie Lee (Hampton) McDowell and John Will McDowell Sr., and his sister Margaret (McDowell) Winston.
CSM McDowell spent 27 1/2 years as a member of the United States Army with valor. He was the consummate warrior, a loving husband, and a doting father.
His DD 214 has been closed.
HU AAH
