Ralph Lynn McDowell

Ralph Lynn McDowell, of Dallas, passed away July 20, 2022, in Dallas, Texas, after a brief illness. Ralph was born in Cherokee, OK, on October 10, 1928. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl William McDowell and Olive (West) McDowell; and sister Erline Farley (Aaron). He is survived by his loving wife Jean (Black) McDowell of 61 years, his son Robert McDowell and wife Sallye (Reavis) McDowell of Fort Worth; daughter Patricia (McDowell) Meachum and husband Charles Meachum of McKinney; grandchildren Megan Ann McDowell, Hollis Meachum (fiancé Atkyn Garza), Owen Meachum (Lillian); nephew Danny Farney of Burlington, OK, and grandniece Diana Hamilton of Waukomis, OK.

Ralph graduated from Cherokee High School in 1946 where he was active in football and basketball - in his senior year he was chosen to crown the football queen. He graduated from Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State) in 1950 with a BS degree, from Iowa State in 1951 with a MS degree and he received his law degree from SMU in 1961. He participated in the ROTC program and was commissioned a 2nd Lt. Commander of his officer’s chemical warfare basic course. Later, he served with the 32nd AAA Brigade in England. He was selected to attend a special course at Oxford University in 1955 to study Western European Union. Ralph was discharged as a Captain in 1959 after 9 years of active and reserve service.

After graduating from Iowa State in 1951, he worked for Oak Farms Dairies in Dallas & Austin. He was a third generation participant in dairy manufacturing. After returning from active military service in 1957, he was employed by Pfizer Laboratories as a representative, hospital representative and district manager. He attended the evening law school program at SMU on the GI Bill ,graduating in 1961. He practiced law in Dallas for more than 35 years before retiring. He was a partner in the law firm of Waldie, McDowell & Colvin, practiced for several years with the late Harold Adams and maintained a solo practice for many years. He was a member of the Texas Bar, Dallas Bar, Dallas County Criminal Defense Bar and was licensed to practice in several Federal courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States of America.

Ralph held 60+ year memberships in Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Blue Key National Honor Fraternity, Alpha Zeta Honorary Fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, The Roy Stanley Masonic Lodge, Dallas Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and Hella Shrine. He was a member of the Audie Murphy Chapter of National Sojourners and was a member of The American Legion. He was an active member of the Sons of the American Revolution where he served as Dallas Chapter President, Texas District Vice-President and was a member of the Color Guard. He was recognized for 25 years of perfect attendance at Dallas SAR chapter meetings, was first line sponsor for over 20 new members and presented over 160 bronze medals to outstanding award recipients. He was awarded the Silver Good Citizenship and Patriot Medals from the Texas Society. His Patriot ancestor wintered at Valley Forge with George Washington’s Continental Army.

In addition to his interest in law and SAR, Ralph’s special interests were his children, grandchildren, genealogy, the life of Benjamin Franklin, gardening, coin collecting and his many friends. His favorite motto was from Ben Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanac, “A True Friend Is The Best Possession”.

Ralph and Jean are members of Lake Highlands United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dallas Scottish Rite Hospital. https://scottishriteforchildren.org/