Steven Heath McDowell

Irvine, California

July 29 1941 - October 28, 2016

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Steve’s name to support our veterans and first responders who bravely put their lives on the line to save our lives and liberties.

It is with great sadness that we say good bye to this gentle and beautiful man.

Steve was born in Seattle, Washington, the first son of Nathan Heath McDowell and Barbara Hall McDowell. When his family moved to California, he ultimately decided The Golden State was to be his home. Steve graduated from Burbank High School and the University of Redlands where he earned a degree in Psychology with Dean’s List achievement. Yearning for greater adventure than what he had prepared for, Steve enlisted and completed USMC training in 1963 at Parris Island, SC.

With the Viet Nam war in full swing, Steve then attended United States Marine Corp Officer Candidate school at Quantico, Virginia graduating first in his battalion and earning the designation of Naval Aviator. In 1967, he trained as and was designated Marine Combat Fighter/Attack Pilot (Supersonic F4-B Aircraft). Steve was a certified FAA Flight Instructor, helicopter qualified, and flew over 110 combat missions in Viet Nam as a Combat Section Leader.

After his war experience, Steve immersed himself in the Southern California Real Estate Industry. Originally, Steve established and managed his own investment company in Orange County. Later, he closed down his company to work in real estate investments nationwide with TCW Realty Advisors of Los Angeles, as well as Coldwell Banker, KBS and PM Realty Advisors in Orange County.

First and foremost, Steve was a Marine Fighter Pilot. Flying was his greatest love. If he weren’t flying, he loved motorcycles, non-fiction, and travel. He was an accomplished sailor. Steve was married for 26 years to Ann Nelms McDowell of Scottsdale, Arizona, his greatest admirer and best friend. They had one child: a black Cocker Spaniel named Miss Pug.

Steve is survived by Ann; his mother Barbara McDowell of Old Saybrook, Connecticut; brother Peter McDowell and family of Rosemont, Pennsylvania; and Sister Bobbie McDowell of Plymouth, Massachusetts.