Obituary for Melvin Vernon McDowell
Melvin Vernon McDowell, 78, of Olive Hill, passed away on December 28, 2020 at Cabell Huntington Hospital. He was born October 23, 1942 in Ashland, KY; a son of the late Earl and Marie DeHart McDowell.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by in-laws, Carl Burton, Jim Carroll, James Thomas Burton, and Elizabeth Jones.
He graduated from Olive Hill High School in 1960 and attended the University of KY. He was a Boilermaker with Local 105 and retired from Local 40 in 2001. He was of the Baptist faith.
He served at the Olive Hill National Guards Company B 201st Engineer Battalion. He was a Past Master of the Olive Hill Lodge #629, member of the Scottish Rite 32nd degree, El Hasa and Carter County Shriners, Past Patron of the Olive Hill Chapter #290 of the Eastern Star. He was Chairman of the Board of Meals on Wheels of Olive Hill, KY and a Board Member of the Olive Hill Historical Society.
He enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels and was an avid reader. He was lifelong Kentucky Wildcat and Cincinnati Reds Baseball fan. He will be remembered for his kind smile, big heart, and forgiving soul. He loved his family and cherished his grandchildren.
He is survived by his loving wife of 54-1/2 years, Faye Burton McDowell, his son, Jeff (Laura) McDowell of Grayson, KY; and daughter, Karla Jo (Joey) Back of Olive Hill, KY; his sister, Lyda Sue(Billy Don) Rice of Olive Hill, KY; his in-laws, Les (Reatha) Burton of Lexington, KY, Lois Carroll of Olive Hill, KY, Lowell (Paula) Burton of Caseyville, IL, and Pam Burton of Grayson, KY ; his grandchildren, Karianna Back, Melanie McDowell, Kale Back, and Mason McDowell; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Thursday, December 31st, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at Sparks Funeral Home, Tim Porter and Joseph Carroll, ministers. Burial will follow at the Burton Family Cemetery.
Visitation will be Wednesday, December 30th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Keith Offill, Billy Rice, Jimbo Burton, Stevie Nichols, Carl William Burton, Chris Burton, and Kale Back; Honorary will be Doug Readnower, Billy Don Rice, Greg DeHart, Danny Lowe, Wayne Adkins, Johnny Back, and Marvin Gearhart.
The family is especially grateful to Dr. Eva Tackett and the entire staff at Cabell Huntington Hospital.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels Olive Hill, KY or Olive Hill Historical Society.
Due to the COVID pandemic, face coverings are required and social distancing will be observed.
Online condolences may be sent at www.sparksfh.com.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by in-laws, Carl Burton, Jim Carroll, James Thomas Burton, and Elizabeth Jones.
He graduated from Olive Hill High School in 1960 and attended the University of KY. He was a Boilermaker with Local 105 and retired from Local 40 in 2001. He was of the Baptist faith.
He served at the Olive Hill National Guards Company B 201st Engineer Battalion. He was a Past Master of the Olive Hill Lodge #629, member of the Scottish Rite 32nd degree, El Hasa and Carter County Shriners, Past Patron of the Olive Hill Chapter #290 of the Eastern Star. He was Chairman of the Board of Meals on Wheels of Olive Hill, KY and a Board Member of the Olive Hill Historical Society.
He enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels and was an avid reader. He was lifelong Kentucky Wildcat and Cincinnati Reds Baseball fan. He will be remembered for his kind smile, big heart, and forgiving soul. He loved his family and cherished his grandchildren.
He is survived by his loving wife of 54-1/2 years, Faye Burton McDowell, his son, Jeff (Laura) McDowell of Grayson, KY; and daughter, Karla Jo (Joey) Back of Olive Hill, KY; his sister, Lyda Sue(Billy Don) Rice of Olive Hill, KY; his in-laws, Les (Reatha) Burton of Lexington, KY, Lois Carroll of Olive Hill, KY, Lowell (Paula) Burton of Caseyville, IL, and Pam Burton of Grayson, KY ; his grandchildren, Karianna Back, Melanie McDowell, Kale Back, and Mason McDowell; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Thursday, December 31st, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at Sparks Funeral Home, Tim Porter and Joseph Carroll, ministers. Burial will follow at the Burton Family Cemetery.
Visitation will be Wednesday, December 30th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Keith Offill, Billy Rice, Jimbo Burton, Stevie Nichols, Carl William Burton, Chris Burton, and Kale Back; Honorary will be Doug Readnower, Billy Don Rice, Greg DeHart, Danny Lowe, Wayne Adkins, Johnny Back, and Marvin Gearhart.
The family is especially grateful to Dr. Eva Tackett and the entire staff at Cabell Huntington Hospital.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels Olive Hill, KY or Olive Hill Historical Society.
Due to the COVID pandemic, face coverings are required and social distancing will be observed.
Online condolences may be sent at www.sparksfh.com.