Memorial
Gordon McDowell, 87, of Cedar Rapids and formerly of Mechanicsville, passed away Friday August 19, 2016 at the Hiawatha Care Facility. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Gordon is survived by his children; Linda Kepler (Bill Newlen), Craig McDowell (Shelley), Gordon McDowell (Belia), and Shelley McDowell (Rick Connelly), his grandchildren; Eirik Kepler, Nikki Carmer (Mike), Travis Kepler, Aaron (Casey), Brian, and Jason McDowell, Cole (Emily) Harlan, and Stephanie McDowell (Robbie), his great grandchildren; Kourtney Kepler and Dallas Carmer.
He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth, his parents, his brother, Douglas, and son-in-law, James Kepler.
Gordon was born October 13, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois to George F. McDowell and Myrtle Harry McDowell. The family moved to the Cedar Rapids area in his younger years where he attended school at Edgewood # 9 and Roosevelt High School. Gordon was a long time Bricklayer in the Cedar Rapids area. He was very proud of his time spent on the Mechanicsville Fire Department and his participation in the very early years of its ambulance service.