Roy "R.V." McDowell

Roy “RV” McDowell has been a lifelong resident of Amarillo.  He was born on 11-17-22 to Konetta and Everett McDowell as the second oldest of eight kids.

When you have so many brothers and sisters, you learn to become very strong both physically and emotionally.  The strength he found early on carried throughout his life.

As a young adult, he met Marie McMinn.  It was love at first site.  They dated and married about ten days later.

RV went on to be drafted in the army in the midst of World War II.  He served his country proudly as a Sergeant in the Infantry while stationed in the Philippines.  He returned home to his bride soon after.

Not long after returning home, the family began to grow.  Along came 5 sons within the next 6 years.  Even more strength was shown as he raised those boys.  He always had them in line and perfectly in order.

Self-employment soon followed.  RV built his own mechanic shop from the ground up, literally, brick by brick.  All the while, he and Marie were keeping those boys in line, even though they would steal his nuts to use as fishing weights.

A little later, he started a business as a house mover.  His oldest son soon joined the business in 1969.

1978 brought a new adventure.  McDowell-Haynes came forth.  House moving was then passed on to the boys.  RV worked as many hours as it took to make his businesses a success.  He was still working up to age 94; he didn’t think the business could run without him.
Along with his work, he never met a stranger.  RV must have had the middle name of Compassion.  Just as Jesus would do, he was always helping those who were down and out on their luck.  His passion for Christ and helping others was outstanding.

Sports were a big part of his life.  He was an avid Cowboys and Rangers fan.  If there was water around, RV had his fishing pole in it.  Every year he was hunting on the western slopes of the Rockies.

After 66 years of marriage, Marie went to be with our good Lord.  Ten short weeks later, RV buried his son, David.  Also preceding him in death were 1 grandchild; 2 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Being the toughest person around came with its struggles.  RV had several occasions that he was on the doorstep of heaven; but God wasn’t ready to take him just yet.
RV went home to see Marie at the gates of Heaven on May 11, 2018, leaving behind his oldest son, Roy McDowell and his wife Terry; his son Tommy McDowell and his wife Emma Lee; his son Larry McDowell and his wife Brenda; his son Darrell McDowell and his wife Cynthia; a sister, Norma Bruce; and  special cousin, Konetta Canfield.  Many called him Paw Paw, including 8 grandkids and 12 great-grandkids.

Services will be at 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 14, 2018, at Arden Road Baptist Church with Ken Holmes officiating.  Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery.  Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.