Funeral services for Charles Dowdy, 85, of Newalla were held Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at the North Side Church of God in Norman. Interment followed at the Washington Cemetery under the direction of the Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Purcell.
Mr. Dowdy passed away peacefully on September 8, 2023.
Charles Alton Dowdy was born on February 6, 1938 in Gary, Indiana, the second of five children born to Leonard Alton Dowdy and Ester Pauline (Waters).
Throughout his life, work and love led him to make his home in both Oklahoma and Indiana. Both places held a special spot in his heart and his families’. He attended school in Oklahoma City, and afterwards went to work on the railroad in Indiana. Even though it wasn’t his lifelong career, he always loved working on the railroad and was truly fascinated by trains.
After leaving the railroad, he spent some time in the military, worked as a truck driver, and worked in the heat and air industry. He found love early in life with a young lady named, Marie Elizabeth (Kalmar). They began their life together and were blessed with four children - Charles, William, Kim and Kellie. Charles was ornery and stubborn, in all the best ways. He was also very creative and talented, both musically and artistically. He loved spending time with his siblings, singing and playing music together, as they all shared the same passion.
A little later in life, he met and married, Shirley Ann Richmond. He welcomed her and her daughter, Rhonda Richmond, into his family and later her children, Haven and Dakota.
Charles was such a fun person, with an all-around lovable personality, who was loved and admired by everyone he met. He was adventurous and never missed an opportunity to go hunting for treasures with his metal detector. He loved spending time with his family and his fur baby - Babie. Charles was a beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He will be dearly missed!
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard Dowdy and Pauline Coster; his son, William Dowdy; brother, Reginald Dowdy; grandparents and numerous other loved ones.
Charles is survived by son, Charles Dowdy of Newalla and his daughters, Kim Thomas (Kendall) of Oklahoma City and Kellie Meek (Jimmy) of Billings, Montana; sisters, Patricia Wagner (Dana) of Newalla, Pauletta Holder (Gerald) of Newalla and Florence Oswald (John) of Newalla; seven grandchildren, Charles Andrew, Catherine, Jeremiah, Dustin, Korey, Brandon, and Kristyn; 11 great-grandchildren, several beloved nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends.
Online condolences may be made at www.wilsonlittle.com.
