Marcus Lane McDowell

DOYLINE, LA – Funeral services for Lane McDowell, 72, to celebrate his life, will be held graveside at Point Chapel Cemetery in Doyline, LA on Friday, May 23, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. The family will be receiving friends Thursday evening, May 22, 2015, from 5-7 p.m. at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral home.

Lane was born in Ringgold, LA on February 26, 1943. He graduated from Doyline High School in 1961. Lane received his Bachelor Degree in 1966 in Education at Northwestern State College. In that same year he became the first recipient of the Guy Newsome Award for outstanding Physical Education Graduate. Lane went on in 1967 at Northwestern State College to earn his Master’s Degree in Education. In 1967 he began his teaching career at Hamilton Terrace. From 1968-1970 he taught at Linwood Middle School, 1970-1983 at J.S. Clark Middle School, 1983-1985 at Woodlawn High School, 1985-2000 at Broadmoor Middle School and completed his teaching career at Youree Drive Middle School in 2001-2002.

He enjoyed his retirement years playing golf and working part time at Olde Oaks Golf Club from 2005-2015. For close to 25 years, Lane and his golfing buddies held an annual “Hit-n-Hunt” Golf Tournament. Lane enjoyed preparing the tournament schedule and making the trophy’s for this annual event.

Lane was joined in marriage in 1967 to Carolyn Sue Spurgin. He was an amazing man, husband and father. Lane lovingly and tirelessly cared for his wife until he went to his heavenly home after a hard- fought fight from complications of his heart disease.

Lane was preceded in death by his parents, Justice Lamar McDowell and Gilberta Spinks McDowell, as well as his faithful canine companion, Sammy. He is survived by his beloved wife, Carolyn; daughter, Wendy McDowell Goad; son, Gregory Lane McDowell; and brother, Jimmie Lamar McDowell. He was deeply loved by numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Despite not being blessed with grandchildren of his own, he gratefully felt that grandfather bond with nieces, Lindsey and Cassidy Zanca.

Pallbearers include nephews, Kenneth McDowell and Gary McDowel, and and long- time friends, Tom Knox, Gary Allen, O.L. Evans and Doug Robinson. Honorary pallbearers include his brother, Jimmie McDowell, brothers-in-law, Ray Carter and Roy Cordaro, father-in-law, Carroll Benson Spurgin, and long-time friends, Clyde Stanley, Charles Walker, Clyde Heun, Jeff Green, Mike Gosdin, Mike Thibodeaux and Mark Allen.

Special thanks to the staff and doctors at Promise Hospital, Bossier and Willis Knighton Medical Center, Bossier.

You may offer condolences and sign the on-line guest book by visiting www.hillcrestmemorialfh.com.