James R. Dowell Jr.

Legacy is about life and living. It’s about learning from the past, living in the present, and building for the future. Mr. James (Jim) R. Dowell, Jr., 88, of Newnan, GA left a legacy of servant leadership, perseverance, and faith when he went to be with our Lord on July 12, 2018. Born in Little Rock AR on March 6, 1930, to the late James Robert Dowell, Sr. and Alpha Lou Dowell, Jim met his bride-to-be, Marilyn Joy McQuerry in the nursery at Antioch Baptist Church before either could speak. Only a year apart in age, the two lived three blocks away.

Their strong family values and foundation of faith that began forming then would carry through their 67 years of marriage. After being wed in 1951 and becoming parents to four daughters, the Dowell family of six moved from Little Rock to Minden, LA, Tuscaloosa, AL, Dunwoody, GA and finally to Newnan, GA where Jim wore many hats. Outside responsibilities as a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Jim was also an Eagle Scout, entrepreneur, business owner, church deacon, swim team coach, tennis player, fisherman, and an avid University of Alabama football fan.

Always quick-witted and full of wise counsel, he would often encourage his family to speak kindness; to “give someone a bouquet of roses every day.” Jim devoted his life to building a family legacy: a circle of strength, founded on faith, joined in love, and kept by God. Jim is preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Marilyn Joy. Jim is survived by his daughters, Karen Joy Wyler (Bill), Tania Brooke, Lucinda Foley (Russ), and Gail Jones; grandchildren, Ashly Lord (Mark), Stafford Brooke IV (Colleen), Charles S. Benton, Jr., Amanda Wyler Mazzo (Jason), Kelli Howard (Ryan), Dewey R. Jones III; and 4 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 16, 2018, at 1:00pm at First Baptist Church of Peachtree City. Interment will follow at Westminster Memorial Gardens. A visitation will be held at Carmichael-Hemperley Funeral Home of Peachtree City on Sunday, July 15, 2018, from 2:00pm-5:00pm.

Donations may be made to the Jim and Marilyn Dowell Servant Leadership Scholarship at First Baptist Church of Peachtree City or the American Kidney Fund.