Harold MacDowell

Harold Frank MacDowell, Jr. was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on April 2, 1932, the fourth child of Harold F. and Dorothy P. MacDowell, and died from natural causes on September 23rd, 2026, in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

A memorial eucharist service will be held at St. John‘s Episcopal Church in Fort Smith on Friday, November 20th at 10:30am followed by a reception in the Parish Hall for all attendees.

Harold was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Gelene Gish MacDowell, his parents, brother William MacDowell, and sister Bettye Laughlin. Survivors include his brother Robert MacDowell; sons, Harold F. MacDowell III (Cathy), their children Sara [Michael] Murph and great-grandchild Charlotte, and Paul [Emily] MacDowell; and Jeffrey N. MacDowell (Kelly), their children Eliza MacDowell [fiancé Dan Unrue] and Olivia MacDowell; and his dear friend Calline Ellis.

Harold graduated from Tulsa Central High School and the University of Oklahoma before serving as a Captain in US Army Reserve for 11 years. He worked two years as a Regional Advisor for Kappa Alpha Order, previously having been OU chapter President, covering the western US advising active & alumni chapters. Later he was Province Commander for Oklahoma and Arkansas and was an active KA supporter all his life. In 1957 he began a 29-year career with Griffin Grocery Company starting in Muskogee, OK and progressing to President of the Wholesale Division in Fort Smith before the company was sold in 1986. He then began a whole new career in the investment business as a trainee with Shearson American Express and retired in 2000 as a Vice President-Investments with successor Smith Barney.

Raised a Presbyterian, Harold became an adult lifelong member of the Episcopal Church following his marriage to Gelene, serving on the vestry and as Senior Warden of Grace Church, Muskogee and St. John’s, Fort Smith. He sang in the choir for over 50 years and was a licensed Worship Leader, Eucharistic Minister, and Eucharistic Visitor. He was Chair of the St. John’s Columbarium Committee where he will be inurned next to his wife. He also chaired the St. John’s Legacy Society.

A member of Rotary International for over 50 years, Harold served as club President of both the Muskogee and Fort Smith clubs. He strove to live up to the Rotary motto of “Service above Self”. In Muskogee, he was a YMCA Board member and Republican County Chairman. In Fort Smith, he served as Board Chair of both the Fort Smith Area Community Foundation and Good Samaritan Clinic. In addition, he served on advisory boards for the Salvation Army where he was honored as a Life Member, Sparks Hospital, Bost Human Development Center, the Fort Smith Symphony, Fort Smith Heritage Foundation, and the Sebastian County Republican Committee. Harold also enjoyed membership in The Noon Civics Club, where he also served as President.

Beyond his professional and civic accomplishments, Harold will be remembered for his devotion to family and friends. He enjoyed the fun things in life: dancing, sunset cocktail cruises on Lake Hamilton, supper club with dear friends, and symphony nights and Little Theatre with Calline. Harold had a quick wit and maintained his sense of humor throughout his life which was never more evident than his first theatrical role since high school at 79 years old starring as Bud the Stud in Sex Please, We’re Sixty.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 215 N. 6th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901; The Good Samaritan Clinic, 1316 S Zero St, Fort Smith, AR 72901; Grace Episcopal Church, 215 N 6th Street, Muskogee, OK 74401; the Rotary Club of Fort Smith Fred Baker Memorial Endowment or the Western Arkansas Community Foundation Operating Endowment, both at Arkansas Community Foundation, 5 Allied Drive, Ste 51110, Little Rock, AR 72202.

Online condolences may be sent to, wwwedwardsfuneralhome.com