James Lee McDowell

James Lee McDowell passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at the age of 79. He was predeceased by his wife, Marsha (Schleiger), and parents Wilma (Snyder) and Lester McDowell. He left behind family who loved him immensely, including his children Lisa and her husband Gordy Britt and Chris McDowell and his wife Jennifer; his beloved grandchildren Neil Sweeney and wife Katie, Andrew Sweeney and wife Breanna, Nicole McDowell, and Austin McDowell; his brother Gary McDowell; and many other relatives and friends who all adored him.

Jim was born June 27, 1944, and had what he always called an idyllic childhood in Longmont, Colorado. In 1966, he received his bachelor's degree from Colorado State College in Greeley and moved to Williams, Arizona, for his first year of teaching high school math and coaching. In 1967, he married Marsha Schleiger of Berthoud, Colorado, and they moved to Vandalia, Illinois, where they welcomed their daughter Lisa the following year. The family then moved to Fort Morgan, Colorado, where Jim taught math and coached baseball for a few years before they decided to move permanently to Mesa, Arizona in 1972. The following year, their son, Chris, was born.

In 1975, Jim began a new career with Allstate as an insurance agent. His likability, integrity, and motivation helped him develop a large client base and he eventually established his own successful Allstate agency. However, Jim always made sure his family knew they came first, and was always a present, patient, playful, and loving parent who never missed any of his kids’ school or sporting events. In fact, he is the reason his kids consider their own childhoods idyllic.

Jim’s favorite activities were engaging in friendly but highly competitive tennis matches, playing poker with his buddies, enjoying season tickets for the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks, watching sports on TV, listening to music (particularly bluegrass and country), and — above all — spending time with his family. Just as he had been an involved and devoted father, he was an often-present, patient, and playful Papa who revered every second he spent with his four grandkids and had a special bond with each of them.

Throughout his life, everyone who knew Jim liked, respected, and admired him — from the high school students he taught or coached, to his insurance customers, to his buddies from Allstate and the neighborhood tennis courts. His heart of gold showed through in his warm smile, caring words, helpful nature, and acts of kindness. Jim will be terribly missed by his beloved family and friends here, but they may take comfort in knowing he is now reunited with loved ones who have been awaiting his arrival in Heaven.

In lieu of flowers, Jim’s family would greatly appreciate donations in his honor made to either the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org or to Barrow Neurological Institute’s Alzheimer’s Research at giveto.supportbarrow.org .