Earl McDowell, 85, of East Ridge, Tennessee passed away Saturday, July 8, 2023.
Earl was a member of Jones Memorial United Methodist Church where he served as a Sunday School Teacher for several years, was a member of United Methodist Men and was instrumental in the annual barbecue.
Earl earned his Master’s in Education from the University of Chattanooga. He retired as Principal of Anna B. Lacey Elementary School in Hamilton County, Tennessee and also retired from Walker County, Georgia Department of Education as a middle school teacher. Earl was the Voice of the East Ridge Pioneers on Friday nights from the late 1960’s until the mid 1990’s.
Earl also retired from the U.S. Army as a decorated Lt. Col. He served on the Fort Campbell Retiree Council and the Armed Forces Week Committee in Chattanooga.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol McDowell and his parents, Grover Louis McDowell, Jr. and Lois Evans McDowell.
Survivors include his daughter Julie (Joe) Smith; son, Eliot (Rebekah) McDowell; grandchildren, Evan Smith and Melody McDowell; two sisters, Saundra (Fritz) Vetterick and Brenda Love (Conway) Cecil; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 12:30 PM Thursday, July 13, 2023 at Jones Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. Natalie Smart officiating. Burial will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery with Military Honors. The family will receive friends from 5-8 PM Wednesday at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road and from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Thursday at Jones Memorial United Methodist Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Jones Memorial United Methodist Church 4131 Ringgold Road, East Ridge, Tennessee 37412.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com.
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