of Batesville, AR
October 17, 2009
Earl Wayne Dowell, 65, of Batesville died Saturday, October 17, 2009 at his home.
He was born Saturday, October 14, 1944 in Batesville the son of Earl Dennison Dowell and Nettie Marie (Brooks) Dowell.
Earl was owner and CEO of Dowell Transport, Inc. In January 1974, at the age of 29, he started Dowell Transport with three trucks and five employees. Over the next thirty-six years, his business grew to forty trucks and fifty-six trailers. He enjoyed hunting deer and elk, and traveled every year to Colorado and Wyoming on hunting trips. He also enjoyed bass fishing and drag racing. He drove race cars up to fifteen years ago and raced at tracks from Newport, Arkansas to Millington, Tennessee to Bowling Green, Kentucky.
He is survived by his wife, Darlene (Taylor) Dowell of the home; two sons, Kerry Dowell and Sawyer Dowell, both of Batesville; two stepsons, Brice Stephens of Orlando, Florida and David Walmsley of Little Rock; daughter, Rhonda Dowell of Batesville; one step-daughter, Krisi Stephens also of Batesville; brother, Larry Brown of Greenwood, Arkansas; sister, Shirley Cuzzort of Batesville; grandchildren, Randell Crabtree, Bri Crabtree, Katlyn Dowell, Alexa Dowell, Linzi Dowell; four step-grandchildren: Lacey Lee, Hayden Lee, Liam Gray and August Gray; and two great-grandchildren: Bradyn Crabtree and Ryleigh Crabtree.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at Roller-Crouch Chapel in Batesville with Alan Brown officiating. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery under the direction of Roller-Crouch Funeral Home of Batesville.
Pallbearers will be John Robert Cuzzort, David Branstetter, John Ed Welch, Tommy Ford, Von Clouse and Charles Hon. Honorary pallbearers are Employees of Dowell Transport, Inc., Dr. Robert Walton, Dr. John Allgood, Dr. Lawrence Mendelsohn, and the Doctors and Staff of M. D. Anderson Cancer Hospital.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Monday, October 19 at the funeral home.
The family has requested memorials be made to M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486 (telephone 800-525-5841).
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40 Condolence(s)
BENJAMIN KEALOHA
Thursday, October 22, 2009
TO a tru friend and boss I owe Earl for giving me my career and livlihood rest in peace
Craig Gassman
Thursday, October 22, 2009
I've dealt with Earl,many years on selling him trucks. I can say no one enjoyed putting together a truck deal more than Earl Dowell. I learned alot from him, just by selling him trucks.Thoughts & prayers are with his family & the Dowell Transport family.
Joline Burrow
Thursday, October 22, 2009
In my prayers The Olen A Burrow Family
John and Sandy Millspaugh
Thursday, October 22, 2009
In our thoughts and prayers
JAN QUALLS
Thursday, October 22, 2009
In my prayers
Harlon & Shirley Martin
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
To the family of Earl Wayne,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
HARVEY RHODES
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
I HAVE KNOWN MR DOWELL FOR 2 YEARS. SHORTLY AFTER I STARTED DRIVING FOR DOWELL
TRANSPORT I ENCOUNTERED A CERTAIN SITUATION ON THE ROAD THAT REQUIRED HIS ASSISTANCE. I WAITED TILL I GOT BACK TO HIS OFFICE TO DISCUSS THIS MATTER. I HAD NEVER TALKED IN DEPTH WITH MR DOWELL, BUT THIS PARTICULAR MATTER NOT ONLY WOULD IT BE HANDLED BUT I WAS ALSO GOING TO USE THIS TIME TO GET TO KNOW HIM BETTER. IT DID NOT TAKE LONG TO REALIZE THE CALMNESS IN THE AIR AND MY SURROUNDINGS JUST BEING IN FRONT OF SUCH A SWELL MAN. I GUESS WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY IS MR DOWELL ALLOWED ME TO SEE THE GOOD SIDE OF TRUCKING AND MOST OF ALL AND NOT ONLY DID WE MEET IN THE MIDDLE ON MY ROAD MATTER WE BUILT A FRIENDSHIP. MAY GOD BLESS A GREAT MAN, I LOVE YOU EARL, HARVEY RHODES
Marianneand Gary Brooks
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Cousins,
Gary and Marianne Brooks
Hanford(Buddy)Brooks
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
We are so sorry for your loss. We will be Praying for his family. Love Cousins Buddy and Margie Brooks
Bruce and Sherry Hankins
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
I met Earl while working as an accountant in Batesville. I admired Earl for all the efforts and hard work he put into Dowell Transport. It was his life's work, and he did a great job building the business over the years and giving back to the community. He will be missed. Our thoughts are with his family and his Dowell Transport family during this difficult time.
Billy Stair
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Rhonda,
While words can not help with the pain and sadness your family is feeling during this time, take comfort in knowing your "Daddy" is no longer suffering and will be watching over you for eternity. Try and remember happy times and know that your friends are praying for you.
R.I.P., Earl Wayne.
Billy Stair
Dick and Nancy Bernard
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Darlene and family..My trips to Colorado will never be the same, but when we hit the mountains next month, Earl will be smiling down on us. More than a keen business man, Earl was a friend and confident to everyone. We loved Earl because he was always the same; dependable, honest, and caring. Thank you for letting us share him.
DAVID HAWLEY
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Earl was both a good customer and a friend. Over the years we have done a lot of business together and also got to enjoy a few bird hunting trips together. He was a good person and always treated me wth respect. I will truly miss his "laid back" style when dealing with him, but I never doubted how much knowledge he possesed about the trucking business and equipment. My deepest sympathy to his family and employees.
Ellie Johnson
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
He was a "legend" in the trucking industry. He will be missed.
Steve Taylor
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
I really enjoyed visiting with Eary Wayne over the years. He had some great hunting stories. His memory will remain in many peoples minds. I am very sorry for the loss of a great Family man. Sincerely, Steve Taylor
Jan Wilson
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Darlene, you and your family are in my prayers. You are blessed to have such a large community of family and friends to share your grief.
Janie Weaver Prichard
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
To the Dowell Family: I had the pleasure of attending school with Earl Wayne. He was everyone's "buddy" and could keep you laughing like no one else. I know of no one who didn't like Earl Wayne. He just had a loveable personality. He will be missed by so many. I will keep each and every one of you in my heart and prayers during this very difficult time.
With Love,
Janie
Larry & Shirley Greenfield
Monday, October 19, 2009
Dear Darlene we are very sorry that you have lost your precious husband, the two of you have fought so hard together that it feels as though the outcome should have been different? God bless you, give you peace to help make some sense of it all. Our love and prayers.
Theodora
Monday, October 19, 2009
Darlene I just heard about Earl Wayne. He fought a good battle I always enjoyed working with him and you. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
THeodora
Joetta Walker
Monday, October 19, 2009
To the family & friends: So very sorry to hear about Earl Wayne's passing. He was a very special person. You are in my thoughts & prayers.
Joanie Younger
Monday, October 19, 2009
Darlene and Family...I was so sorry to hear about Earls' passing....He was always the same, no matter where you saw him, he was the same...He always had a smile and loved to joke around...He had a very kind heart and his door was always open for anyone who needed to talk or just wanted to visit...He was a great man and will be greatly missed by all those that knew him...Please know that you're all in my thoughts and prayers during this very sad time...
Joanie Younger
Nelse Brown
Monday, October 19, 2009
Darlene and all Earl's family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Earl was always a very good friend to us. We will really miss him.
Love
Nelse and Wilma
.Yvonne & Mike Edwards
Monday, October 19, 2009
Darlene and family,
So sorry for your loss,you are in our hearts and prayers, always,
Love ya
Bobby McClure
Monday, October 19, 2009
We've all lost a special person with the passing of Earl Dowell. He was a Trucker by trade, but more than that, he was a great business leader and teacher for those of us who had an opportunity to learn from him. Our thoughts go out to the family at this time, and to the employees at Dowell Transport who truly loved him.
Bill & Nancy Estes
Monday, October 19, 2009
So sorry for your loss, All our condolences to the entire family.
Kay Brown
Monday, October 19, 2009
I am truly so sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers are with you.
Kay
Sandra Strain, Valerie Dillard-Green, Kristie Dillard-Nephew
Monday, October 19, 2009
Earl was a very kind and good man to our family and will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.
Gloria [Bell] Sparrow
Monday, October 19, 2009
Shirley, you are in my prayers at this time. I know how much you will miss your brother. My heart aches for you and all the family.
I send my love to all,
Gloria Sparrow
Anna & Gary Gipson
Monday, October 19, 2009
Darlene and family we are so sorry for your loss. He will be greatly missed.
Gary & Anna (Reed) Gipson
Darba Townsley
Monday, October 19, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Darba Townsley
Margee Bell Castleberry
Monday, October 19, 2009
Our thoughts are prayers are with you.
Rick and Margee Castleberry
Gary McGinnis
Monday, October 19, 2009
Earl Wayne was a good friend to me and will be greatly missed. I and the entire Ozarko Tire family offer the Dowell family and the employees of Dowell Transport our sincerest condolences during this difficult time.
Leland and Goldie Sandy
Monday, October 19, 2009
To Earl Wayne's family:
Earl Wayne was a good man. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you at this time.
Leland and Goldie Sandy
Brooke Keathley
Monday, October 19, 2009
I am so sorry for your family's loss. You are in my thoughts.
Todd, Resa & Stephanie Bolin
Monday, October 19, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May your memories help comfort you. The memories will stay with you forever and provide comfort to help the process of healing.
Sky Clark
Monday, October 19, 2009
Our prayers and thoughts are with the family. Earl was a good friend and will be greatly missed.
Mike & MaryAnn Harvill
Monday, October 19, 2009
Darlene and family - you are in our thoughts and prayers at this time. Mike thought a lot of Earl Wayne and I recall a "few" years ago, going to Desha School with both of you! Take care.
Teresia Mynatt (Salter)
Monday, October 19, 2009
Earl Wayne was a very good hearted & kind man.Sorry for your loss.
Teresia Mynatt (Salter)
Floyd & Helen Salter
Monday, October 19, 2009
Our heart & prayers goes out to you.
Floyd & Helen Salter
Burl & Ila Driskill
Monday, October 19, 2009
We want to offer our Condolances for Earl Wayne. He was a wonderful cousin. The world is losing a good good person. We know he is enjoying finally meeting his father and they are having a good time catching up. We know he will be missed by all he left behind, especially his family. He is in a much better place now and has no more pain. Burl & Ila Driskill