Don was born in the hospital in Sheridan, Wyoming. It was the closest hospital to the family homestead, which was a ranch that lay between Birney and Ashland, Montana. The family later moved into Sheridan, Wyoming where Don attended school and as a young teen began working as a ranch hand during the summers. He loved and lived the cowboy life.

Later Don found work in the oilfield and made his way south eventually settling in Texas. He worked for over 30 years as a machinist at Stemco in Longview and retired from there. After that retirement he turned his focus to serving his community with the Woodlawn Volunteer Fire Department, an organization that was very near and dear to his heart. He spent 35 years as a firefighter becoming Fire Chief and actively fighting fires until he was 80 years old. Don retired as Fire Chief in 2016. While serving he received many accolades, including recognition as an Original Founder of the Woodlawn Volunteer Fire Department and Firefighter of the Year in 2015 and 2016.

Through all of Don's years he never lost his love of horses. He continued horseback riding on a regular basis as long as he was able to. He taught his kids how to ride and handle horses. His entire life was spent in some proximity to a horse.

Don's love for his family, commitment to his community and ever-present sense of humor all completed a life lived fully.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Edward Dowdell and Florence Louise Stocker; brothers, Leonard Dowdell and Dale Dowdell and granddaughter, Lauren Nichole Allen.

He is survived by his brother, Larry Dowdell; sister, Linda Dowdell Hall; children, Cindy Dowdell Allen (Randy), Donald "Chip" Dowdell, Jr. (Amy), Billy Dowdell (Jeanne), Larie Dowdell Barnett (Blake), Kendall Dowdell (Shannon) and Scott Dowdell; grandchildren, Michael Dowdell, Taylor Dowdell, Deylin Dowdell, Jagger Allen, Harmony Allen Rains, Cameron Allen, Reigan Allen, Robyn Polinice, Eric Roberts, Kelsey Brown, Davis Brown, Evan Barnett, Destiny Dowdell, Hunter Dowdell, Bobby Preston and Brandy Wilson along with several great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

In lieu of flowers please donate via check or money order to: Woodlawn Volunteer Fire Department P.O. Box 98 Woodlawn, TX 75694 In Honor of Don Dowdell.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Woodlawn Baptist Church in Woodlawn, Texas. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, October 16, 2026, at Downs Funeral Home.