Obituary of Dale Leo Dowd
Age 91, of Mt. Morris, passed away Monday, February 12, 2024, at home with his family by his side. A funeral service will take place at 11:00am, Friday, February 16, 2024, at Messiah Lutheran Church, 520 Butler St., Clio, Michigan 48420. Pastor Erik Cloeter to officiate, with burial to follow at Flint Memorial Park Cemetery. Dale’s family will be present to receive friends at church on Thursday from 2:00pm until 8:00pm, and again on Friday from 10:00am until the time of service at 11:00am. Memorial contributions may be considered to Messiah Lutheran Church or the Ruffed Grouse Society. Envelopes are available at the church. Expressions of sympathy may be placed on Dale’s tribute wall at martinfuneralhome.com.
Dale was born in Birch Run, Michigan, on October 13, 1932, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Leo and Helen (Close) Dowd. Dale proudly served in the United States Army where he served his country during the Korean War Era. He was stationed in Sault Ste Marie and then in Germany until his honorable discharge. Upon his return to the States, Dale met and married the love of his life, Ruth Jacobi on June 30, 1956. Sadly, she preceded him in death on September 15, 2016. Dale worked as a laborer for General Motors for 30 years until his retirement in 1981. Dale was a lifelong member of Messiah Lutheran Church and truly enjoyed attending services there. Spending time with his family was his favorite pastime. He loved to go on vacation where he could enjoy camping, fishing in Manistique, and grouse hunting with his hunting dogs. Dale would often rent a cabin where he could spend the week fishing and spending quality time with his family. Dale was a devoted husband and truly loved doting on his beloved wife. Dale had a great sense of humor, a big heart, and was very generous. He would give you the shirt off his back and would never take the last bit of anything because someone else might need it more than him. In his free time, he enjoyed listening to old classic country music as well as Christian music. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and will be greatly missed.
Dale's family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of the McLaren in-home team and McLaren Hospice for the care and compassion they took caring for their dad.
Left to cherish Dale's memory are his children: Debra and husband, Don Grigar, DeAnn and husband, Jim Krapohl; grandchildren: Jason Dowd and wife, Meghan Gauvreau, Ryan Dowd, Jordon and wife, Meghan Grigar, Nicole Grigar, Stacy and husband, Cory Landon, McKenna Dowd; great-grandchildren: Connor, Evan, Emma, Hailey, Jamie, Juniper; siblings: Mary Lou and husband, Dan, Gloria, Bobby, Peter and wife, Heidi, Patty; several nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Dale was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruth Ann; parents: son, Tim Dowd; granddaughter, Ashly Grigar; siblings: Clare Dowd, Dennis Dowd, Linda Jaggers, Maxine Griswald.