John William McDowell Jr., proud veteran

John William McDowell Jr., fondly known as Jack, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away at Harbor Healthcare in Lewes Thursday, June 15, 2023. He was born Feb. 19, 1945, in Wilmington, son of the late John William and Jeanette (Trice) McDowell.

After high school, Jack joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was a proud mortar man. Upon his return from Vietnam, he went on to receive his bachelor of science degree from Wilmington College and then receive his law degree from Wethersfield School of Law. Jack then worked as research director of SLGM Medical Research Institute. He loved classic cars and enjoyed buying them to restore them to their former glory. Jack would often travel to places off the beaten path and loved his Harley-Davidson. He was also a gifted gardener who could make anything grow. Jack was a member of the ACLU since 2002, Sierra Club, NRA and National Arbor Day Foundation.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, Tyler. Jack is survived by his son, John W. McDowell III (wife Barbara) of Millsboro; daughter, Elizabeth Cole (husband Wayne) of Quarryville, Pa.; and his granddaughter, Lily.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 27, at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes, where friends can visit beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will be held immediately following the service at Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 N. DuPont Pkwy., New Castle.

Visit Jack’s Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.