He was a native of Starks and had been a resident of Carlyss for over 30 years, coming from Mansura. Ricky was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church and had also attended Starks Pentecostal Church. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, riding side-by-sides, traveling, and was a master woodworker. Ricky was raised a Master Mason at the Magnolia Lodge #238 on Magnolia Church Road in Ragley. He retired in 2020 after over 30 years of service at Westlake Petrochem.
Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Janet Clavier Dowden of Carlyss; his children, Shane Dowden and wife, Bailey of Lake Charles, Kelly Carroll of LeBlanc, and Justin Dowden of Sulphur; his mother, Clovie Holmes of Starks; his father, Fern Ivy "Sandy" Dowden, Jr. and wife, Alice Coleman Dowden of Magnolia, Texas; his mother-in-law, Della Clavier of Sulphur; his siblings, Donna Guillory of Lacassine, Michelle Mueller and husband, Ron of Magnolia, Texas, Christine Dowden of Bronco, Texas, David Dowden and wife, Pam of Ragley, and Gene Paul Dowden and wife, Missy of Kinder; and his grandchildren, Kaitlyn Dawicki, Arwen Carroll, and Slade Scott Dowden. He is preceded in death by his father-in-law, Anthony Clavier; and his son-in-law, Daniel Carroll.
His funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 6, in Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. The Rev. Alfred Gibson will officiate. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of service Saturday in the funeral home. Cremation will follow the funeral service and he will be laid to rest in LeBlanc Cemetery. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.
