Henry M. "Mickey" McDowell III

8/11/1941 - 8/12/2012

Mickey was born August 11, 1941, in Norfolk, VA. to Commander Henry M. "Mac" McDowell, II and Mary Pat Gunnison McDowell. After a tour of duty in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Mickey's Navy family settled in Pensacola, FL. in 1946. After graduating from Pensacola Catholic High School in 1959, Mickey moved to Cullman, AL. to attend St. Bernard College where he studied Chemistry. He attended a St. Bernard picnic at Sportsman's Lake, where he met Sacred Heart Academy senior Margaret "Peggy" Collier, who he later married. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1962 and served in his chosen career field, Medical Technology. After marrying the love of his life in 1964, he completed a Medical Technology internship at St. Vincent's hospital in Birmingham. He then returned to St. Bernard to graduate with a B.S. degree in Medical Technology, and obtained his certification in Medical Technology.

Mickey and Peggy raised four children while living in Georgia, Virginia and Florida, finally returning to Cullman, where they made their home for the next 37 years. An active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, he served in the Bereavement & Musci Ministries, but his most beloved ministry was with Sacred Heart's Boy Scout Troop. He volunteered for many years with Troop 321, and served as Webelos Leader, Assistant Scout Master and Scout Master for 15 years. Under his leadership and mentoring at least 12 boys from Troop 321 earned their Eagle Scout rank.

He devoted much of his time to family, and was an active participant in the life events of his four grown children and eight grandchildren. He had a friendly and outgoing nature, and never met a stranger. He was known for always putting everyone he met before himself, and lived a life of service to others.

Mickey is survived by his wife of 48 years, Peggy, daughter Michele McDowell (Patrick) Madden, son Henry "Martin" (Marie) McDowell IV. daughter Mary Margaret (David Anderson) McDowell, son Michael (Virginia) McDowell, and eight grandchildren: Cara, Casey and Sean Madden; Olivia and Evelyn McDowell, Madeline Hill, Julianna & Emily McDowell, two sisters, Judy McDowell Gunn & Elna McDowell Hayes. He will be dearly missed by so many whose lives he touched.