Thomas E. McDowell

Thomas Ellsworth McDowell was called to his heavenly home on February 25 at the age of 101 years. He is survived by his wife, Grace Lucille McDowell (Dunn) and their four children: Thomas McDowell (Sue) of Pinehurst, NC; Diane McDowell Felgner (Leland) of Knoxville, TN; Richard McDowell (Judy) of Grand Rapids, MI and Jerome McDowell (Paula) of Grand Haven, MI and 12 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

Ellsworth was born and raised in Detroit. Growing up during the depression was not easy after the death of his father. He had many jobs to earn money for the family. He cut grass, sold newspapers on the corner, delivered ice, sold discarded wooden road paving blocks and shoveled coal ash from basements.

The invention and popularity of the automobile during the early 1900's resulted in a life long fascination and love for cars. There was always a car story to tell and he could name all of the cars he had driven including the Model T, Model A, Dodge, Maxwell, Huppmobile, Overland, Pontiac, Hudson, Studebaker, Oldsmobile, Edsel, Ford, Buick, Mercury, Cadillac and Lincoln.

After high school he attended Northern Illinois College of Optometry. He graduated in 1932 and practiced optometry for the next 42 years in Detroit. Besides optometry, he had a keen interest and gift for investing in real estate that resulted in his purchase and sale of many properties in Michigan and Florida.

Ellsworth was a devoted Christian and church was a priority in his life. As a youth he was active at Scovel Presbyterian Church. Later he was instrumental in relocating Westminster Presbyterian Church in Detroit. He was proud to be a church elder and most recently served at Cypress Presbyterian Church in Pompano Beach.

Family life was always a priority. Ellsworth often said that his marriage to Lucille at age 26 was the high point of his life. They recently celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary.

After many years of maintaining residences in both Michigan and Florida, Lucille and Ellsworth decided to make Pompano Beach their home in 1968. They moved into John Knox Village when Ellsworth turned 93 in 2005.

Ellsworth will be missed for his engaging personality, humility, sense of humor and integrity. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

At age 94 he wrote an autobiography titled “Along the Way”. In it he said: “God has been good to me. He has allowed me to live a long time, to enjoy good health, to have a loving and devoted wife and family. What more could one ask --- A place with the Heavenly Father forever and ever.”

Visitation and services will be held at Forest Lawn Funeral Home in Pompano Beach. Visitation from 10:00AM until noon on Friday, March 1. Services at 10:00AM on Saturday, March 2.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the American Red Cross.