Paul Henry "Pete" Dowd

Paul Henry "Pete" Dowd, died peacefully Saturday, January 16, 2021, at SKLD Medical Residence in Ionia, Michigan, he was 91 and a resident of Brookdale Senior Living until his death.

Pete was born August 14, 1929 in Battle Creek, Michigan the son of Paul Cummings Dowd and Mary Una (Capithorne-Boom) Dowd. He attended St. Philip Catholic Schools, Battle Creek Central High School and joined the U.S. Army on his 17th birthday. Pete honorably served his country during the end of WWII and then served with the U.S. Air Force Reserves until 1959. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University and went on to be a graphic designer at Cello-Foil Packaging until joining his parents in their bookkeeping and accounting office. He practiced bookkeeping and accounting for over 60 years and with his wife Marie (deceased), operated Dowd and Company – Bookkeeping & Accounting and The Owls Nest restaurant.

Pete was formerly married to the late Marcella Anne "Marcy" (Supject) Dowd, the mother of seven of his children. He was preceded in death by his second wife Marie E. (Decker) Dowd, mother of his daughter Kristen, by his sister, Mary Lou Atha-Marriott his only sibling and his parents. Surviving are eight children, Peter Dowd of Battle Creek, Paula Dowd of Redondo Beach, CA, Daniel (Janet Lehikoinen) Dowd of Delton, Matthew (Patricia Roderick) Dowd of Redondo Beach, CA, Shawn (Joy) Dowd of Gardena, CA, Andrew (Jan) Dowd of Battle Creek, Thomas (Tara) Dowd of Grand Haven, Kristin Dowd (Marie's Daughter) of Mesa, AZ and stepdaughter, Tracy (David) Schwartz-Hart (Marie's Daughter) of Alameda, CA. He had eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Pete was a member of St. Philp Roman Catholic Church community where at one time or another six of his children had attended St. Philip Catholic Schools. He joined the Battle Creek Cereal City Lions Club in 1958 as a charter member and served as their president for the 1995-96 year. He was an avid golfer and was a longtime member of Riverside Country Club. Pete loved spending time with his beloved Marie until her death in 2013 and bird watching from his sunroom. Pete will be remembered as the man who knew everybody in Battle Creek, as well as the man in the hat, as he always wore a hat wherever he went. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Pete's family has created a beautiful tribute video to Pete's life and it may be viewed by visiting https://vimeo.com/502324393. Military honors by Fort Custer Honor Guard and the U.S. Army Guard, followed by a committal by Rev. James Richardson will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 28, 2021. The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/505714357. Due to Covid restrictions a memorial mass celebrating his life will be schedule at a later date at St. Philip Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Pete may be made to St. Philip Roman Catholic Church Restoration Fund (https://www.osvhub.com/stphilipchurch-bc/funds), in the notes please designate on behalf of Pete Dowd. Memorial contributions can also be made to the Cereal City Lions Club, P.O. Box 790, Battle Creek, MI 49016. Please designate in the "Recognition Section" on behalf of "Pete Dowd - Cereal City Lions Club".

Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.