Timothy McDowell

Timothy T. McDowell was a generous, kindhearted man who brought happiness into the lives of all who knew him. A hardworking family man, he treasured his beloved wife, children and grandchildren. Family, faith and friends – these are the things that mattered to Tim McDowell.

1928 represented a brief period of peace and prosperity for the United States. After fighting World War I and before the stock market crash that would lead to the Great Depression, Americans celebrated medical advances that led to the discovery of penicillin, which was the first medicine of its kind to treat formerly life threatening infections. For Eugene A. and Dorothy (Harrington) McDowell of Lafayette, Indiana, they were having a celebration of their own with the birth of their second and youngest son, Timothy, on September 15, 1928.

Tragedy struck the McDowell family when Tim was only three months old and his mother died, leaving his father to raise two boys on his own. At the age of 2, Tim and his older brother Eugene went to live with his Uncle Frank and Aunt Helen McDowell in Delhart, Texas, until the depression hit and they moved to Detroit, Michigan, in order to find work. He then spent a year with his maternal grandparents in West Lafayette, Indiana at the age of 13, where he finished his freshman year of high school. Thereafter, he moved to Indianapolis to live with his father and stepmother. Tim completed his education at Cathedral High School on 14th and Meridian Streets, graduating in 1947. Throughout his life, Tim’s exceptional education at Cathedral was a great source of pride for him and he treasured and kept in contact with many of his classmates through the years.

After graduation, Tim attended the prestigious University of Notre Dame for a year before transferring back to Indianapolis to attend Indiana University. Like many young men of the time, Tim was drafted into the U.S. Army to serve his country during the Korean War. After a year overseas, Tim was honorably discharged in 1952. Although the service took him miles from home, a certain young lady stayed on his mind the entire time he was gone – his new bride Rosanne (Wilson). They met while he was at Cathedral (an all boys school) and she attended St. Agnes (an all girl school) and dated all through Rosanne’s high school years. The young couple was happily married on May 26, 1951, in the chapel at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. After saying I do, the newlyweds honeymooned at the Drake Hotel in Chicago, before starting a home in Indianapolis and a family complete with five children: Timothy T. II, Thomas M., David P., Rosanne M. and Kathleen Ann.

An excellent provider, Tim spent his life balancing hard work with being a loving father and husband, providing his family everything they needed. His career in sales started at William H. Block Co. before he became a juvenile furniture sales representative with the Welsh Company out of St. Louis for 35 years. This job required him to travel quite a bit, but was able to be home with his family on the weekends. Tim was a real people’s person and treated everyone he met with an utmost degree of respect and honesty. This and his natural salesman instincts made him excellent at his job.

The McDowell home was on the north side of Indianapolis at 5410 North Washington Boulevard, which is fondly remembered by everyone as the place of their annual Christmas Eve parties. Before this home, the family lived at 5429 North Guilford and 4130 Guilford in Indianapolis. As devout Catholics, the family was members of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church before moving slightly north and became members at Immaculate Heart of Mary. Tim was also proud to be a member of the Robert E. Kennington Post of the American Legion.

A true family man, Tim’s happiest moments always involved the time that he spent with his family, particularly his grandchildren, whom he adored. Holidays were always a big celebration in the McDowell family. Tim liked Easter but especially enjoyed Christmas when he was surrounded by the love and smiles of his children and grandchildren. As a proud Irish man, he made sure to honor his heritage on St. Patrick’s Day too. Time together as a family was always important and when his children were growing up they vacationed at Palisades Park, Michigan every summer. Tim considered Palisades Park his absolute favorite place on the earth, perhaps because of all the indelible memories the family fondly remembers of their time together.

As was apparent from his pleasant demeanor, Tim enjoyed the simple pleasures of life like dancing, but only to waltz music, and enjoying a hearty meal of meat and potatoes. Above all else, Tim loved being surrounded by his wife, children, grandchildren and friends. They were the people that he shared his life with, and the people that he loved. Although he will be deeply missed, Tim will be lovingly remembered for his generous spirit, fun-loving nature and his unconditional love for his family.

Timothy T. McDowell of Indianapolis, IN, died on Friday, January 28, 2005. His family includes his wife, Rosanne (Wilson) McDowell; children: Timothy T. (Beth) McDowell II, Thomas M. (Crystal) McDowell, David P. (Karen) McDowell, Rosanne M. (Bill) Bonner, Kathleen Ann (Terry) Bradshaw; grandchildren: Kristen Rangel, Joshua Graham, Bryan McDowell, Patrick McDowell, Timothy Bonner, Shannon Bonner, Maureen Bonner, Colleen Bonner, Jack Bonner, Charlie Solhan, Nichole Solhan and Tom Solhan; half-sister, Barbara Polson.

Friends may spend time with Tim’s family on Sunday, January 30, from 2-5 p.m. in the Leppert Life Story Funeral Home, Nora Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 31, at 1 p.m. in St. Pius X Catholic Church. Please visit Tim’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution in his memory.