John Edward Dowdy Jr.  was born on June 8, 1940 in Athens Georgia. He transitioned peacefully on October 17, 2024 @ 12:17 AM at his home.

He was preceded in death by his parents John Edward Dowdy Sr., and Sally Mae Dowdy; his Wife Jewel T. Dowdy, to whom he was married to for 42 years; one sister Josephine Dowdy-Harris; four brothers; William "Bill" Shackelford, Bobby Dowdy, Mitchel Dowdy and Larry Dowdy.

John graduated from Bryan High School on May 29, 1958. He attended Fort Valley State College and pledged Phi Beta Sigma, majoring in business until he joined the United State Navy in 1961, and served until 1967.

Later he joined the United State Army in 1973 and served in the Vietnam War and Desert Storm in Iraq. He retired from United State Army on June 8, 2000, as a 1st Sergeant. He took courses from American Business Institute, Monroe Business Institute and Fordham University. He worked in the banking Institute as a civilian, retiring from JP Morgan Chase.

John was a faithful Member of Summer Hill Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, and former church Secretary.

He leaves precious memories; one sister Janice Dowdy, three sisters-in-law; Sheila Dowdy, Bettye Dowdy and Phyllis Long, Special cousin; Armanda Allgood, Special Nieces, Christy Dowdy and Valerie Dowdy-Randolph, a special friend; Dorothy Victrum, Mary Cochran and John "Juice" Hancock, and a host of others nieces, nephews, cousins and friends