Obituary for Jerry Lynn Dowden
It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of Jerry Lynn Dowden. Jerry passed away peacefully on the morning of December 22, 2022, in Hornbeck, LA surrounded by his family. He had been battling health issues for several years and it brings our family comfort knowing he is not hurting or sick anymore. A memorial service will be held at Jeane’s Funeral Home in Leesville, LA on December the 27th, 2022 from 5-8 PM for family and friends.
Jerry was born February 14, 1945, in Many, Louisiana. He attended Plainview High School. He loved playing basketball while he was in high school. Jerry was quite the prankster and it seemed as though he gave his teachers quite a run for their money. He, along with his brothers and cousins, made for a very mischievous group of boys. He joked that once they finally got rid of “them Dowden boys” the school shut down. He loved his friends and his family more than anything. Next to that, he loved his Toyota, ice cream, and anything spicy. He enjoyed his morning coffee with his wife. He had that unspoken love for those closest to him. Jerry was a “tough love” kind of man, but he tried his best to “learn you something good” as he would say. Many mornings were spent at the Hornbeck Barber Shop earning his “bs degree’”. He loved to go sit and visit with people.
Jerry was the type of man that did not walk the thin line of uncertainty. He was set in his ways, did not like change, and he either liked you or he didn't. He was always unapologetically himself. If you were fortunate to know him, you knew that he would do anything he could to help you and would always somehow make you laugh. He loved to tell stories about “the good old days”. He would tell us stories about his old jobs, fishing, and how cheap it used to be to live. He loved to tell us about all the fish he used to catch including this giant blue cat he once landed. One of his favorite hunting stories was how he and his brother-in-law killed a buck with a pine knot after chasing it down the road in his Volkswagen. Jerry was blessed with a green thumb he inherited from his mom. He loved plants and mowing his grass. He spent many hours on his lawn mower. He absolutely hated how this world was changing before his eyes. He did not like to go into stores. You could more than likely count on one hand how many times he had been to a store the past 40 years.
Jerry was a very handy man. He worked on Ft Polk as a barber and also a carpenter, where he hurt his back badly in 1990. This really was a turning point for him and how he lived the rest of his life, daily, in pain. At this point he and his wife started doing arts and crafts. They would travel all over Louisiana and Texas going to craft shows.
Jerry was loved by so many and his laughter and presence in our lives will truly be missed.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Marie Dowden; daughter, Tammy Moore; sister, Peggy Dowden; and brothers, Dennis Lane, Joe, Timmy, and Eddie Arnold Dowden.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 57 years, Wanda Sue Dowden of Hornbeck LA;
daughter, Shonie Remedies of Many, LA;
granddaughters, Anelesa Dowden and fiancee, Tim of Hornbeck, LA, Brandi Mitchell of Many, LA, and Danielle Averitt and husband Devin of Anacoco, LA;
grandsons, Stevie Grable and girlfriend Katherine of Hornbeck, LA, and Timmy Grable of Hornbeck LA;
great-grandchildren, Tucker, Nikoli, Jazlyn, Lilyona, and Ava Faye;
sister, Patsy Self and husband Lee of Mt Carmel, LA;
brothers, Gary Dowden and wife Glenda of Slagle, LA and Roy Lee Dowden and wife Susan of Hornbeck, LA;
and a host of nieces, nephews, family, unofficially adopted grandkids, and friends.
To plant a tree in memory of Jerry Lynn Dowden, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Tuesday
27
Dec
5:00 PM
- 8:00 PM
Jeane's Funeral Service
100 E Union St.
Leesville, LA 71446
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