Rylie C McDowell Jr. passed away June 1, 2019 in Sun City, Arizona. He was 81 Years old. He was born July 13, 1937 in Phoenix, AZ, the son of Rylie Columbus McDowell Sr. and Sara Caroline (Greenawalt) McDowell. He was the middle child of three boys. As a child, his family worked for the federal government, so they moved around, living in Phoenix, AZ, Mesa, AZ, Henderson, NV, Kingman AZ, Davis Dam, AZ, and Dutch John, UT. It was in Kingman, Arizona that Rylie met and fell in love with the love of his life, and wife of 55 years, Nancy Lou (Ely) McDowell. The happy couple lived in Eagle Mountain, CA, Desert Center, CA, Blythe, CA, and Peoria, AZ. They had one child, Neil McDowell of Peoria, AZ. . They had two grandchildren, Aaron and Amy McDowell. Rylie loved being a grandfather and was active in his grandchildren’s lives. Rylie was a great husband, father and grandfather.
He graduated High School from Kingman, then attended Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University, obtaining his Bachelors and Masters Degrees. Rylie was a career educator, working as a teacher for over 50 years. He taught at Kingman High School in Kingman AZ, Eagle Mountain High School and Eagle Mountain School in Eagle Mountain, CA and at Ironwood State Prison in Blythe Ca. He taught many students and topics, but is fondly remembered as a typing teacher, drivers training instructor, and coach for football, baseball, basketball, and wrestling.
Rylie was active in the community. Besides teaching and coaching at the local school, he was involved in youth sports, scouting, the volunteer Fire Department and the Lion’s Club. Rylie was a member of Lions Club International for approximately 30 years. In the Chuckwalla Valley Lions Club, he held numerous offices including President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. He held many offices in the Blythe Lions Club as well including President and Vice President. He also served on the Lions District 4L5 Cabinet as a Zone Chairperson. He loved being a Lion, helping others while making some great friendships along the way.
Rylie was a true sports fan. It didn’t matter if it was little league, high school, college or professional, he loved watching sports. The Arizona State University Sundevils were his favorite college team, no matter what the sport, and the Arizona Diamondbacks were his favorite professional baseball team. He would watch sports day and night, and could recall stories and statistics like a broadcaster.
Rylie enjoyed attending Calvary Chapel in Blythe, CA, and visiting with neighbors, his health care helpers, former students, and family and friends.
Whether he was your Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle, Neighbor, Friend, Teacher or Coach, he will always be remembered as a very friendly, kind, and generous person who was concerned about others, and always willing to help.
He is survived his Son Neil (Jennifer) McDowell of Peoria AZ, Grandchildren Aaron and Amy McDowell of Peoria, AZ, Brother and Sister-in-Law Joseph “Ritchie” and Carma McDowell of Washington City, Brother and Sister-in-Law Ronald and Angela McDowell of Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca, Sisters-in-Law Barbara Patterson and Susan Hopeman, both from Kingman, AZ, Nephew Steven Chambers of Ahwatukee, AZ, Nieces Kimberly (Perry) Walker of Indio, CA, Kristi (Lahi) Vaka of St. George, UT, Natalie (Jeff) Haase of Chandler, AZ, Diane (Charlie) Smith of Phoenix, AZ, as well as numerous other family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife Nancy Lou (Ely) McDowell and his Parents Rylie Columbus McDowell Sr. and Sara Caroline (Greenawalt) McDowell.
Services will be held at Sunland Memorial Park Mortuary and Cemetery, 15826 Del Webb Blvd. Sun City, Arizona on Monday June 10. There will be a viewing at 10:00 am with Funeral at 11:00 and Burial following. Afterwards family and friends are invited for fellowship and snacks at Neil’s house in Peoria, AZ.
